New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has been arrested following a physical confrontation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a Manhattan immigration court.
Lander, a Democrat mayoral candidate, was attempting to block the arrest of an illegal alien at the time.
He was promptly arrested for assaulting federal agents who were arresting an illegal alien.
In a statement on X, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said:
“New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer.
“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.”
The incident took place at 26 Federal Plaza.
Lander was attending a hearing involving an illegal alien whose deportation case had just been dismissed pending appeal.
As the migrant exited the courtroom, Lander was seen walking alongside him when ICE agents intervened.
Lander campaign spokeswoman Dora Pekec confirmed the arrest in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
“While escorting a defendant