Fact Check: ICE accused Lander of assaulting a federal officer during his arrest.

Fact Check: "ICE accused Lander of assaulting a federal officer during his 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 he was escorting a defendant out of immigration court. According to ICE, Lander was detained "for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer" (BBC, NY Times). Lander was later released without any charges being filed against him, and he vehemently denied the allegations, stating he "certainly did not" assault an officer (Fox News, NY Post).

Lander's actions were described as an attempt to stand up for the rights of the defendant, whom he claimed was being denied due process. He was seen in videos asking ICE agents for a judicial warrant for the arrest (The City, Axios). The incident has sparked significant public discourse, with New York Attorney General Letitia James and others condemning the arrest as an abuse of power (Fox News, NY Post).

Analysis

The claim that ICE accused Lander of assaulting a federal officer is substantiated by multiple credible sources. ICE's spokesperson explicitly stated that Lander was arrested for "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer" (BBC, NY Times). This aligns with Lander's reported actions during the incident, where he was seen resisting arrest and demanding to see a warrant, which ICE interpreted as undermining their authority (Fox News, Axios).

However, Lander's defense and the reactions from public officials suggest a broader context of tension surrounding immigration enforcement in the U.S. Critics, including Attorney General James and New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman, have framed the incident as an abuse of power and a chilling effect on civil rights advocacy (NY Post, Fox News).

While ICE's claim of assault is serious, the lack of charges following Lander's release raises questions about the validity of the accusation. The incident appears to be part of a larger narrative of political contention regarding immigration enforcement practices under the Trump administration, which has been criticized for its aggressive tactics (BBC, NY Times).

Conclusion

The claim that ICE accused Brad Lander of assaulting a federal officer during his arrest is True. This assertion is supported by multiple credible news sources reporting on the incident and ICE's official statements. While Lander denies the allegations and no charges were filed against him, the accusation itself was made by ICE, making the claim accurate.

Fact Check: ICE accused Lander of assaulting a federal officer during his arrest.