Fact Check: Andrew Cuomo Calls Lander's Arrest an Example of 'Extreme Thuggery' by ICE
What We Know
On June 17, 2025, Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller and a candidate for mayor, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at an immigration courthouse in Manhattan. Lander was attempting to assist a migrant who was being detained by ICE when the incident occurred. Reports indicate that Lander linked arms with the migrant and demanded to see a judicial warrant for the arrest, leading to a physical confrontation with the agents, who subsequently arrested him for allegedly assaulting and impeding a federal officer (New York Times, AP News).
Following the incident, Andrew Cuomo, who is also running for mayor, publicly condemned Lander's arrest. He described it as "the latest example of the extreme thuggery of Trump's ICE out of control" in a post on X (formerly Twitter) (New York Times, Politico).
Analysis
The claim that Andrew Cuomo referred to Lander's arrest as "the latest example of the extreme thuggery of Trump's ICE out of control" is corroborated by multiple sources. Each source reports Cuomo's statement consistently, indicating that he used this specific phrasing in his condemnation of the incident (AP News, Washington Post, Fox News).
Cuomo's statement reflects a broader criticism of ICE's actions under the Trump administration, which has been characterized by many as aggressive and controversial, particularly in relation to immigrant detentions. The context of Lander's arrest—during a time of heightened tensions regarding immigration enforcement—adds weight to Cuomo's claim. However, it is essential to note that the sources reporting on this incident vary in their political leanings, with some being more sympathetic to Lander's actions than others, which could influence the framing of the narrative (New York Post, The Hill).
Overall, the sources reporting on Cuomo's statement are credible, including established news organizations like the Associated Press and the New York Times, which have a history of reliable reporting. The consistency across multiple outlets reinforces the accuracy of the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that Andrew Cuomo called Lander's arrest an example of "extreme thuggery" by ICE is True. This statement is supported by multiple credible sources that report his exact phrasing and the context in which it was made. The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly under the policies associated with the Trump administration.
Sources
- Brad Lander Is Arrested by ICE Agents at Immigration ...
- Brad Lander, NYC mayoral candidate, arrested at ...
- NYC comptroller detained by federal agents at immigration ...
- Brad Lander, New York City comptroller and mayoral ...
- ICE agents detain New York mayoral candidate in chaotic ...
- Brad Lander arrested, later released by ICE agents ...
- Comptroller Brad Lander arrested by ICE at Federal Plaza ...
- New York City mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested at ...
