Representative Jerry Nadler, a Democrat from New York, has accused the Trump administration of “sowing chaos” in communities after a member of his staff was handcuffed and briefly detained at his New York City office last week.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers responded to reports of protesters inside Nadler’s district office in Manhattan. At the time, a protest related to immigration was taking place outside an immigration courthouse located in the same facility.
A Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News Digital that FPS officers were concerned for the safety of federal employees in the office, based on earlier incidents in a nearby facility. Upon entering the office, officers encountered four individuals. According to the spokesperson, officers identified themselves and stated their intention to conduct a security check. However, one individual allegedly became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained this individual in the hallway to complete the security check. All individuals were subsequently released without further incident.
Video footage of the detention posted online captured officers stating that Nadler’s staff were “harboring rioters” and that they were conducting a security check. The staff member being detained can be heard crying in the video.
Representative Nadler issued a statement criticizing the Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), saying, “President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are sowing chaos in our communities, using intimidation tactics against both citizens and non-citizens in a reckless and dangerous manner.”
He further added, “The decision to enter a Congressional office and detain a staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. If this can happen in a Member of Congress’s office, it can happen to anyone–and it is happening.”
Nadler called on President Trump and DHS to cease “these dangerous tactics” and to abandon the expedited removal process for illegal immigrants, which he argues denies due process for both illegal immigrants and U.S. citizens. “While no arrests were made and the situation was quickly deescalated, I am alarmed by the aggressive and heavy-handed tactics DHS is employing in New York City and across the country,” Nadler stated.
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