Lawmakers are reacting to NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander’s arrest on Tuesday. Lander was arrested while escorting someone leaving an immigration hearing at 26 Federal Plaza and later charged with assaulting and impeding law enforcement.
In a post on X, Zohran Mamdani wrote: “This is fascism and all New Yorkers must speak in one voice. Release him now.”
Lander and Mamdani, a fellow NYC mayoral hopeful, cross-endorsed one another just a few days ago.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez reacted in a post on Bluesky. ”ICE just arrested Brad Lander, the NYC Comptroller and one of the leading candidates for Mayor, without grounds,” she wrote. “He asked ICE for their warrant – well within his legal rights. This is political intimidation.”
Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Lander earlier this month, telling the New York Times that she would rank him third in the June 24 Democratic primary for NYC mayor.
Lander’s wife, Meg Barnette, wrote from his account that his team is “monitoring the situation closely.”
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Reactions came in from representatives across the country.
Rep. Greg Casar, also responded, calling Lander’s arrest “outrageous” and demanding Lander’s immediate release.
In a post on Bluesky Rep. Maxwell Frost wrote, “These ICE goons are completely out of control.”
As the condemnations flooded in, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, announced that the Trump administration was pursuing federal charges against the Democratic politician.
“New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer,” McLaughlin said. “No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences.”
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