Fact Check: Lander's Arrest Sparks Accusations of 'Fascism' from Fellow Mayoral Candidates
What We Know
On June 17, 2025, Brad Lander, the New York City Comptroller and a candidate for mayor, was arrested while escorting an individual from an immigration hearing at 26 Federal Plaza. He was charged with assaulting and impeding law enforcement during the incident, which involved ICE agents attempting to detain the individual he was escorting. Lander reportedly asked for a judicial warrant before allowing the agents to proceed, a request that was not met, leading to his arrest (Salon, New Republic).
Following the arrest, fellow mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani publicly condemned the actions of ICE, stating, “This is fascism and all New Yorkers must speak in one voice. Release him now” (Salon). Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also expressed her outrage, claiming that Lander's arrest was without grounds and described it as political intimidation (New Republic).
Analysis
The claim that Lander's arrest has sparked accusations of 'fascism' is substantiated by multiple sources. Mamdani's statement directly labels the incident as fascism, reflecting a broader sentiment among some Democratic leaders who view the actions of ICE as an overreach of authority. Ocasio-Cortez's comments further support this narrative, emphasizing the perceived illegitimacy of the arrest and framing it as an act of political intimidation (Salon, New Republic).
The reliability of the sources is strong, as they include reputable news outlets like Salon and New Republic, which have a history of covering political events and social issues. However, it is important to note that the framing of the incident as 'fascism' is subjective and reflects the political biases of the individuals making the statements. The term 'fascism' is often used in political discourse to evoke strong emotional responses and may not be universally accepted as an accurate description of the events.
Conclusion
The claim that Lander's arrest has led to accusations of 'fascism' from fellow mayoral candidates is True. The statements made by Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez clearly articulate this sentiment, and the context of the arrest supports their claims of political intimidation and overreach by federal authorities. While the term 'fascism' may be contentious, the reactions from Lander's peers align with the assertion made in the claim.
