Latest news with #MegBarnette
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Watch: New York Democratic mayoral candidate arrested by ICE
Hi, this is Meg Barnette, Brad's wife. While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE. This is still developing, and our team is monitoring the situation closely. — Brad Lander (@bradlander) June 17, 2025 A Democrat running for New York City mayor was handcuffed and arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, dramatic footage shows. Brad Lander was apprehended by federal agents as he was attempting to accompany a person out of a courtroom on Tuesday, his wife said in a statement. The person he was accompanying was also arrested. 'You don't have the authority to arrest US citizens asking for a judicial warrant,' he said, as he was led away. Mr Lander disputed a claim made by the agents that he was preventing them from doing their work. 'I'm not obstructing, I'm standing right here in the hallway,' said Mr Lander, as he was handcuffed. The Department of Homeland Security later said Mr Lander had been arrested for 'assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer'. In a statement, the department said there had been a 400 per cent increase in assaults on federal officers. It added: 'It is wrong that politicians seeking higher office undermine law enforcement safety to get a viral moment.' Mr Lander's arrest comes after California senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a press conference being held by Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, as he tried to ask a question. He was bundled to the floor and handcuffed. Following the incident, Ms Noem said politicians should 'get over themselves'. Mr Lander was first elected to New York City council in 2009 and currently holds the post of comptroller, which gives him oversight of the city's accounting and financial reporting. After the incident, Mr Lander's wife posted on his X account: 'Hi, this is Meg Barnette, Brad's wife. 'While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE.' She added: 'This is still developing, and our team is monitoring the situation closely.' . @bradlander just arrested at immigration court — Courtney Gross (@courtneycgross) June 17, 2025 Ms Barnette later told reporters her husband sought to link arms with a man following his immigration court hearing when 'we were swarmed by a number of federal agents'. She added: 'I was shoved out of the way.' The incident comes as Donald Trump has stepped up efforts to arrest and deport large numbers of undocumented immigrants, something that was a main election promise. Polls show there is general support for his policy, especially in regard to individuals who have committed a crime. His decision last week to send the National Guard and US Marines to help quell demonstrations that were protesting the way ICE agents had been targeting schools, courts and the car parks of DIY stores where labourers often gather to seek day work, is more controversial. On Tuesday, Mr Padilla became emotional as he recounted the events as he addressed the Senate. Calling Mr Trump 'a tyrant' over his decision to send in troops, Mr Padilla said the president was doing everything he could to 'test the boundaries of his power'. 'I was forced to the ground, first on my knees and then flat on my chest, and I was handcuffed and marched down a hallway – repeatedly asking why am I being detained?' he said. 'Not once did they tell me why.' The arrest of Mr Lander happened a month after Ras Baraka, the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, was arrested on a trespassing charge outside a federal immigration detention facility. The charge was later dropped. Another Democrat, congresswoman LaMonica McIver, was charged with assaulting and impeding federal agents stemming from her alleged role the same day. She has denied the charge. Officials from the FBI and DHS have yet to comment on Mr Lander's arrest. Mr Lander is one of 11 Democrats seeking the nomination to be the party's mayoral candidate. Incumbent Eric Adams is running as an independent. Most polls show Mr Lander in third place behind former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani, a progressive assembly member. Mr Mamdani said of the arrest of his rival: 'This is fascism and all New Yorkers must speak in one voice. Release him now.' By Tuesday afternoon, it was unclear when Mr Lander might be released. 'Hi, it's Meg again. Brad is still in ICE custody,' his wife wrote on X. 'We are grateful to the many friends, supporters, and allies who have gathered in Federal Plaza. Together we are standing up for those with no voice.'
The Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
New York City mayoral candidate forcefully detained by US immigration agents at Manhattan court
Hi, this is Meg Barnette, Brad's wife. While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE. This is still developing, and our team is monitoring the situation closely. — Brad Lander (@bradlander) June 17, 2025 BRAD LANDER, A candidate in New York City's upcoming mayoral election, was arrested by US immigration agents today while leaving an immigration court in Manhattan. Lander, who also holds the elected role of the city's chief financial watchdog, was detained after he reportedly attempted to accompany an immigrant out of the courthouse whose deportation case had just been dismissed. According to his campaign, Lander was approached by masked federal agents, reportedly from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and other agencies outside the court. Witnesses told local media that Lander linked arms with the man and demanded to see a judicial warrant, before agents forcibly separated and arrested him. Footage shared on social media shows Lander being handcuffed and pushed against a wall by officers. Advertisement Brad lander being detained by US officials. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'Show me your warrant,' he is heard saying. 'You don't have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens.' The 55-year-old Democrat is a prominent political figure in in New York, and has long been critical of ICE's presence at New York courthouses. In recent months, he has publicly condemned federal immigration tactics as heavy-handed and legally questionable. His arrest comes just weeks after he called for increased legal aid for migrants and denounced courthouse arrests as a violation of due process. The arrest has sparked outcry, as Lander's wife, Meg Barnette, and several New York officials held a press conference calling for his immediate release. Barnette said that the masked agents refused to identify themselves or produce legal documentation. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams described the incident as 'immoral,' while fellow mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani labelled it 'fascism'. US federal authorities, including ICE, have not yet commented on the incident. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
CBS News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Video shows Brad Lander being arrested by ICE agents
Brad Lander, New York City's comptroller and a Democratic candidate for mayor, was arrested at immigration court in Manhattan Tuesday. U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Lander was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer. "No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences," a DHS spokesperson said. Lander's wife Meg Barnette held a news conference after he was detained, saying they were at court to observe immigration hearings. She said Lander repeatedly asked in court to see the judicial warrant and grounds for deportation when they linked arms with the person the court hearing was about. "We asked numerous times for the warrant, for their names, for their badge numbers. It was unclear what agency they were from, they're in full uniform, in many cases, with a mask pulled up over the bridge of their nose," said Barnette. "So Brad, I assume, was saying, 'I am an American citizen, I am asking you for the judicial warrant, you do not have grounds to arrest me.'" Much of Lander's arrest was captured on video, which shows Lander holding onto another person. Lander can be seen surrounded by agents as he asks "Do you have a judicial warrant? Can I see the warrant? I will let go when I see the warrant. Where is it? Where is the warrant?" "You're obstructing," someone can be heard saying, and then Lander is separated from the person he was holding onto. Lander can be seen in the video being pressed against a wall while surrounded by three people, who then pressed him against the wall. "You don't have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens," Lander said as he was placed in handcuffs. "I'm not obstructing. I'm standing right here in the hallway ... I asked to see the judicial warrant ... you don't have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant." The video shows a handcuffed Lander being escorted down the hallway while agents grip his arms. As they were waiting for the elevator, Lander's press secretary could be heard identifying herself and asking where he was being taken. She received no reply.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Video shows Brad Lander's arrest by ICE agents
Brad Lander, New York City's comptroller and a Democratic candidate for mayor, was arrested at immigration court in Manhattan Tuesday. U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Lander was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer. "No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences," a DHS spokesperson said. Lander's wife Meg Barnette held a news conference after he was detained, saying they were at court to observe immigration hearings. She said Lander repeatedly asked in court to see the judicial warrant and grounds for deportation when they linked arms with the person the court hearing was about, saying they locked arms. "We asked numerous times for the warrant, for their names, for their badge numbers. It was unclear what agency they were from, they're in full uniform, in many cases, with a mask pulled up over the bridge of their nose," said Barnette. "So Brad, I assume, was saying, 'I am an American citizen, I am asking you for the judicial warrant, you do not have grounds to arrest me.'" Much of Lander's arrest was captured on video, which shows Lander holding onto another person. Lander can be seen surrounded by agents as he asks "Do you have a judicial warrant? Can I see the warrant? I will let go when I see the warrant. Where is it? Where is the warrant?" "You're obstructing," someone can be heard saying, and then Lander is separated from the person he was holding onto. Lander can be seen in the video being pressed against a wall while surrounded by three people, who then pressed him against the wall. "You don't have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens," Lander said as he was placed in handcuffs. "I'm not obstructing. I'm standing right here in the hallway ... I asked to see the judicial warrant ... you don't have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant." The video shows a handcuffed Lander being escorted down the hallway while agents grip his arms. As they were waiting for the elevator, Lander's press secretary could be heard identifying herself and asking where he was being taken. She received no reply.
Sky News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
New York City mayoral hopeful Brad Lander arrested by ICE agents
A politician hoping to become the Democratic mayoral candidate for New York City has been arrested by federal agents. Brad Lander was taken into custody while escorting a defendant out of an immigration courtroom after spending the morning observing proceedings. Video of the arrest, posted on his X account by his wife Meg Barnette, showed Mr Lander being confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. She said her husband was arrested after he "linked arms" with the person he was accompanying. As multiple officers, some in plain clothes, grabbed Mr Lander, he was heard repeatedly asking: "Do you have a judicial warrant?" While being put into handcuffs, he added: "You don't have the authority to arrest US citizens," before an agent told him: "You're obstructing". Mr Lander, who is also the city's comptroller, or financial officer, was then taken into a lift by the agents. The defendant he was with was also arrested. Mr Lander is currently running in the Democratic Party primary for mayor, with voting closing on Saturday. The New York mayoral election is set for 4 November, with incumbent Eric Adams running as an independent despite being voted in as a Democrat. Sky News' US partner network NBC News reported that Ms Barnette said she was confident her husband would be released. However, she added: "This is not the way we deal with the rule of law, this is not the way people are treated in the United States. "I feel really rattled and scared, and my husband is a candidate for mayor, is an elected citywide official, is US citizen." Zohran Mamdani, a New York assemblyman and a fellow candidate in the Democratic primaries, shared the video of Mr Lander's arrest and said: "NYC Comptroller Brad Lander was just arrested by Trump's ICE agents because he asked to see a judicial warrant. "This is fascism and all New Yorkers must speak in one voice. Release him now." It comes after New Jersey mayor Ras Baraka was arrested on a trespassing charge outside a federal immigration detention centre in his city in May. He was released hours later, and charges were later dropped by the interim attorney for the state. Mr Baraka has since filed a suit against the attorney alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution.
