Brad Lander, New York City’s comptroller and a leading Democratic mayoral candidate, was reportedly picked up at FBI headquarters by federal agents on Tuesday. At the time, he was going to an immigration court hearing. The confrontation occurred at 26 Federal Plaza. Lander’s presence was to support the immigrant, whose case was dismissed pending an appeal. This shocking arrest has, understandably, sent shockwaves through his supporter base and fellow political leaders.
Fifteen masked federal agents then descended and arrested Lander. He and his staff were merely escorting Edgardo, the immigrant whose case had been resolved favorably. Witnesses reported that Lander questioned the immigration officials about their authority to detain U.S. citizens when he asked, “You don’t have the authority to arrest US citizens asking for a judicial warrant.” The whole thing escalated pretty quickly to agents pushing him against a wall and handcuffing him.
Lander’s arrest comes at an especially critical moment. As if that weren’t fortuitous enough, it comes just one week before the deeply Democratic city’s Democratic primary for mayor. His arrest has been the catalyst for widespread rebuke from political leaders across both parties. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her anger on Twitter, calling it “bullshit.” We later found her at 26 Federal Plaza, demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tell her why it happened.
Lander’s wife, Meg Barnette, immediately responded on social media right after the stabbing to keep the community updated on her husband’s condition. In a follow-up news conference, Barnette said she was proud of Lander, calling the incident “shocking and unacceptable.”
“Hi, this is Meg Barnette, Brad’s wife.” – Meg Barnette
Upon his release from custody, Lander addressed the media, stating he “certainly did not” assault an officer during the arrest. He wanted to make sure his supporters knew that he was “doing just fine.” It had cost him, with a laugh, he concluded, only “a button.”
Lander’s arrest has further heightened criticism over ICE’s practices and drawn reaction from Lander’s mayoral challengers. Andrew Cuomo described the incident as “the latest example of the extreme thuggery of Trump’s ICE out of control,” questioning the fear families experience when confronted by federal agents. He strongly proclaimed that this is not what Americans stand for, and it needs to stop right now.
“This is fascism and all New Yorkers must speak in one voice. Release him now.” – Zohran Mamdani
ICE’s actions have shown a flagrant disregard for the law…Zohran Mamdani made similar statements to the times ICE is breaking the law. Whatever chips might fall in this imbroglio, Budd criticized the agency’s response to Lander’s queries on their authority. Julia Salazar chimed in, describing the arrest as “more evidence that ICE agents are flagrantly breaking the law.”
As the story about the incident evolves, Lander’s opponents will surely use the incident to attack Lander in their campaign. Other candidates are Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani, Adrienne Adams, Scott Stringer, and Michael Blake. Each person has begun to establish their position on the response to Lander’s arrest. For example, they are testing its effect on the rights and safety of immigrants across New York City.