In a dramatic turn of events, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander found himself in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following an altercation with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers.
The incident was confirmed by DHS to the Daily Caller. Lander, who is actively participating in New York's Democratic Mayoral primary, was apprehended for allegedly assaulting law enforcement personnel and obstructing a federal officer.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin provided a statement to the Daily Caller, saying, "New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer."
She further emphasized the challenges faced by ICE officers, noting, "Our heroic ICE law enforcement officers face a 413% increase in assaults against them it is wrong that politicians seeking higher office undermine law enforcement safety to get a viral moment. No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences."
According to the Daily Caller, Lander's wife stated that he was present at the Midtown Manhattan courthouse to accompany a defendant out of immigration court. In a video captured by Lander's wife, he is seen questioning ICE agents, "Do you have a judicial warrant?" and asserting, "You dont have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens," as he was being handcuffed.
This incident places Lander among a growing list of Democratic figures who have faced legal challenges related to immigration issues. In May, Newark, New Jersey Democratic Mayor Ras Baraka was detained by ICE after he trespassed at a detention center, disregarding multiple warnings.
Similarly, Democratic New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver was indicted in June for assaulting and obstructing immigration officers. More recently, Democratic California Sen. Alex Padilla made headlines when he was forcibly removed from a press conference by FBI and Secret Service agents after confronting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
In the political arena, Lander's campaign appears to be struggling. A simulation by the Manhattan Institute for the city's ranked choice Democratic primary shows him trailing significantly behind frontrunner Andrew Cuomo, the former Democratic New York Governor.
Lander is also behind Democratic New York State Rep. Zohran Mahdani, a self-proclaimed socialist, who garnered 30 percent of the first-round votes in the simulation. Lander ranks fourth with a mere 6 percent, just behind New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who received 7 percent.
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