Fact Check: NYC mayoral candidate and current comptroller Brad Lander arrested violently by ICE agents after asking to see a warrant.

Fact Check: "NYC mayoral candidate and current comptroller Brad Lander arrested violently by ICE agents after asking to see a warrant."

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 reports, Lander requested that the ICE agents show a judicial warrant before detaining the individual he was assisting. The arrest was characterized by Lander as a violation of civil rights, and he stated that he "certainly did not" assault any officers, despite ICE's claims that he was arrested for "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer" (BBC, NY Times).

Lander was subsequently released without charges, and Attorney General Letitia James condemned the arrest, calling it a "shocking abuse of power" and an escalation of tensions surrounding immigration enforcement (Attorney General's Statement). Videos captured during the incident show Lander confronting ICE agents, asserting that they did not have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens (CBS News).

Analysis

The claim that Lander was "arrested violently" is somewhat misleading. While the arrest involved handcuffing and was described as dramatic, there are no credible reports indicating that excessive force was used. The characterization of the arrest as "violent" may stem from the emotional and political context surrounding the incident, particularly given Lander's role as a public official advocating for immigrant rights.

ICE's justification for the arrest included allegations that Lander was undermining law enforcement efforts, which they claimed contributed to a significant increase in assaults against their officers (BBC). However, Lander and his supporters argue that his actions were in line with advocating for the rights of individuals facing deportation, framing the incident as an intimidation tactic by federal agents (Politifact).

The sources reporting on this incident vary in reliability. The New York Times and BBC are reputable news organizations, while statements from political figures like Attorney General James and Lander himself are inherently biased due to their roles in the situation. Nonetheless, they provide critical context regarding the political implications of the arrest.

Conclusion

The claim that Brad Lander was arrested violently by ICE agents after asking to see a warrant is Partially True. While he was indeed arrested while advocating for an individual in immigration court, the use of the term "violently" lacks substantiation from the available evidence. The incident raises significant concerns about the treatment of public officials and advocates in legal settings, but the specifics of the arrest do not support the notion of excessive violence.

Fact Check: NYC mayoral candidate and current comptroller Brad Lander arrested violently by ICE agents after asking to see a warrant.