(The Center Square) — Republicans are accusing New York City Comptroller Brad Lander of a “staged” arrest to lift his sagging mayoral campaign after he was detained for allegedly assaulting a federal immigration officer.
Lander, a Democrat, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly assaulting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who was attempting to take an undocumented immigrant in a New York City courthouse into custody. Chaotic videos show Lander yelling “show me your warrant” as he was placed in handcuffs and wrestled down the hallway of the courthouse by federal agents.
After several hours, Lander was let go when Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul showed up at the ICE detention facility to demand his release. Hochul called the motivation behind Lander’s arrest into question during a profanity-laced press conference on Tuesday.
“How dare they take an elected official who’s been going down there for weeks to escort people who are afraid to walk into a courthouse in the United States of America,” she said.
But New York Republicans are blasting Landers for interfering with ICE and accusing the liberal Democrat of staging a “publicity stunt” to buoy his sagging poll numbers in the race for New York City mayor, with early voting in the crowded race getting underway last week.
“Make no mistake, the purpose was to get the headlines he’s getting,” former New York City Councilman Joe Borelli, a Republican consultant, told Fox News. “This is the playbook for lefty politicians who want to make a get-a-headline. They try to get arrested, they get arrested and then fake outrage over getting arrested.” New York City Councilor Vickie Paladino, a Queens Republican, criticized Lander for obstructing law enforcement officials and accused progressive Democrats of “grandstanding” to discredit the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.”We’re finally seeing the federal authorities act in the interest of our nation, including New York City, and the results have been immediately apparent. Gang members, panhandlers, illegal vendors, and others are already disappearing from our streets as the law is finally being applied,” she said. “And no matter what kind of grandstanding the progressives on the City Council have planned, nothing is going to stop what’s coming. This is just the beginning, so buckle up.”
Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said Lander got “exactly what he deserved” for interfering with an ICE enforcement action.
“Anyone who obstructs or assaults law enforcement – including attention hungry politicians – deserves to be arrested,” the North Tonawanda Republican posted on social media. “NYDems can continue their clown show while @POTUS delivers on his promise to keep us safe.”
In a statement, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin 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,” McLaughlin said.
