Fact Check: "Governor Hochul calls Lander's arrest 'bullshit' at press conference."
What We Know
On June 17, 2025, New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents while he was at an immigration court. Lander was reportedly attempting to assist an immigrant who was being detained by linking arms with him. During the arrest, Lander was accused of "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer" according to Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (1, 2).
Following the incident, Lander's wife, Meg Barnette, described the arrest as "shocking and unacceptable" and stated that it was not reflective of the rule of law (1). Governor Kathy Hochul later commented on the arrest, expressing her disapproval and using the term "bullshit" to describe the situation (2, 4).
Analysis
The claim that Governor Hochul called Lander's arrest "bullshit" is substantiated by multiple sources. The Guardian and Politico both report that Hochul used this exact phrase in her remarks regarding the incident (2, 4). This statement was made in the context of her condemnation of the federal agents' actions during Lander's arrest, which she characterized as unjust.
The reliability of these sources is generally high; both The Guardian and Politico are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. They provide detailed accounts of the events surrounding Lander's arrest and include direct quotes from relevant parties, including Governor Hochul and Lander's wife. However, it is important to note that the term "bullshit" is a colloquial expression that may carry different connotations depending on the audience's perspective.
While some may view Hochul's language as a strong condemnation of federal immigration enforcement practices, others might consider it unprofessional for a public official. Nonetheless, the use of this term in the context of her comments is consistent across multiple reputable sources.
Conclusion
The claim that Governor Hochul called Lander's arrest "bullshit" at a press conference is True. This statement is supported by credible sources that report on her remarks following the incident. The context of her comment reflects her disapproval of the actions taken by federal agents during Lander's arrest.
Sources
- NYC mayoral candidate arrested after linking arms with man ... - 1News
- New York City mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested at ... - The Guardian
- 'How dare they?' NY governor hits back at official's arrest with ... - Raw Story
- ICE agents detain New York mayoral candidate in chaotic ... - Politico
- NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested by masked agents at ... - Yahoo News
- NYC mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested by ICE - Fox 5 NY
- Hochul: 'I'll be the first to call up ICE' to deport immigrants who ... - City & State NY
- Brad Lander Arrested by ICE at Immigration Court - New York Magazine
