Fact Check: "Democratic lawmakers slam Trump's ICE as 'out of control' after Lander's arrest."
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 while attempting to escort a migrant out of an immigration courthouse in Lower Manhattan. Lander was reportedly trying to assist the migrant, who was being sought by ICE, when he was detained by federal agents. According to reports, Lander repeatedly asked the agents for a judicial warrant, asserting that they did not have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens (New York Times, Reuters).
Following the incident, Lander was held for several hours before being released. His arrest drew significant backlash from Democratic lawmakers, including Governor Kathy Hochul and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who described the actions of ICE as "thuggery" and indicative of an agency that is "out of control" under the Trump administration (Al Jazeera, NJ.com).
Analysis
The claim that Democratic lawmakers criticized Trump's ICE as "out of control" following Lander's arrest is substantiated by multiple sources. Following the incident, Governor Hochul expressed her outrage, stating, "It’s bullshit," and emphasized that the charges against Lander had been dropped (New York Times). Similarly, Cuomo's comments highlighted a broader concern among Democrats regarding ICE's aggressive tactics, particularly in relation to their treatment of elected officials who oppose the administration's immigration policies (Al Jazeera).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is generally high, with major news outlets like the New York Times, Reuters, and Al Jazeera providing detailed accounts of the events and the subsequent reactions from political figures. However, it is important to note that some reports may carry an inherent bias, particularly those that frame the actions of ICE in a negative light, as they are often aligned with Democratic perspectives on immigration enforcement (NJ.com).
Conclusion
The claim that Democratic lawmakers condemned Trump's ICE as "out of control" following Brad Lander's arrest is True. The incident has sparked significant criticism from various Democratic leaders, who view the actions of ICE as part of a troubling trend in federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
Sources
- NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander released after ...
- Brad Lander Is Arrested by ICE Agents at Immigration ...
- 'OUT OF CONTROL': Top Dem responds to Trump's federal ...
- New York City comptroller arrested by ICE agents outside ...
- Trump's ICE just manhandled another Democrat
- 'They like the optics of manhandling a Democrat official ...
- Democrats who have been arrested, detained or charged ...
- New York City mayoral candidate Brad Lander released ...
