Federal agents were shown in a video handcuffing an aide to Rep. Jerry Nadler after authorities accused his staff of “harboring rioters” in his New York City office last week.
The video, first obtained by Gothamist, shows an agent restraining a crying female staffer, while another staffer of Mr. Nadler’s requests a warrant and blocks a second officer from entering the congressional office, located in the same downtown building as the federal immigration court.
“I’m a federal officer, we’re here checking on something,” the agent said to the staffer standing in his doorway, the video shows.
“We have the right to check. You are harboring rioters in the office,” he said, as part of the exchange that led to the staffer allowing him into the office.
“Federal Protective Service officers went to the congressman’s office to conduct a security check after receiving reports that protesters were hiding inside,” DHS told The New York Post.
“Based on earlier incidents in a nearby facility, FPS officers were concerned about the safety of the federal employees in the office and went to the location to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present,” Homeland Security officials said.
When they arrived, a woman, who was briefly detained, was “verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office” after the officers identified themselves and explained why they were there.
“The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check,” DHS said.
The aide was released after the confrontation, which reportedly happened when a Nadler staffer invited two activists watching ICE activity at the courthouse into their congressional office.
Mr. Nadler, New York Democrat, said in a statement that “President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security are sowing chaos in our communities using intimidation tactics against both citizens and non-citizens in a reckless and dangerous manner.”
“From the outset, my number one concern was for the safety of my staff. While no arrests were made, and the situation was quickly de-escalated, I am alarmed by the aggressive and heavy handed tactics DHS is employing in New York City and across the country,” he said
“The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries.”
Mr. Nadler called on Mr. Trump and DHS “to halt the use of these dangerous tactics and to abandon use of the expedited removal process,” which he said “denies due process to immigrants and citizens alike.”
