DOJ declines to say whether charging NYC Dem accused of assaulting ICE agent
As the results of the New York City mayoral race continue to come in, the Department of Justice is facing scrutiny over its handling of a high-profile incident involving city comptroller and former Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander. Lander was allegedly involved in an altercation with a federal immigration officer inside a courthouse, but the DOJ has remained tight-lipped about whether charges will be brought against him.
The incident, which took place on June 17, was captured on video and showed a chaotic scene unfolding as Lander clashed with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Lander can be seen hanging onto the agents as they attempted to escort a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza. Throughout the altercation, Lander repeatedly demanded to see a judicial warrant, insisting that the agents did not have the authority to arrest him.
Despite being handcuffed and taken into custody, Lander maintained his innocence, arguing that he was not obstructing the agents’ work. Hours later, he was released from custody alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who announced that charges against Lander had been dropped. However, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York stated that they were continuing to investigate the incident.
In the midst of the controversy, Lander was running for the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, ultimately placing third in the race. Some critics, including former New York City councilman Joe Borelli, have accused Lander of orchestrating the incident for political gain. Borelli suggested that the arrest was a \”staged event\” aimed at boosting Lander’s profile and solidifying his liberal credentials.
Following the incident, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized Lander and other Democratic politicians for disrupting law enforcement operations for personal gain. McLaughlin warned that individuals who interfere with ICE officers will face consequences, regardless of their political status.
As New York City awaited the ranked choice election results, questions arose about the DOJ’s handling of the incident involving Lander. The agency declined to comment on whether charges were still being considered, leaving many to speculate about the outcome of the investigation.
In a separate incident, Senator Alex Padilla was briefly detained after interrupting a press conference held by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles. Like Lander, Padilla faced scrutiny for his actions, but the DOJ has not provided any updates on whether charges will be filed against him.
The lack of transparency from the DOJ has raised concerns about the agency’s commitment to upholding the law and holding individuals accountable for their actions. As the investigations into Lander and Padilla continue, the public remains in the dark about the potential legal repercussions they may face.
Overall, the handling of these high-profile incidents underscores the importance of accountability and transparency within the justice system. As the DOJ navigates the complexities of these cases, the public is left to wonder about the outcome and what it may mean for the future of law enforcement and political accountability.
