“New York City’s top financial officer, who is running to be its next mayor, was handcuffed and arrested by federal agents while guiding a defendant out of immigration court on Tuesday.” NYC Comptroller Brad Lander asked to see a warrant for the immigrant with him. Asked a question! It’s interfering with the law and ICE’s job. Yea, right. Again I say, asked a question. JFC. So, can anyone be arrested for anything related to ICE? If you “interfere? From the BBC:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained Brad Lander, who is the city’s comptroller, “for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer”, a spokesperson said. The arrest comes amid an immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, who has directed federal officials to conduct raids and deport immigrants who are in the US illegally.
“You don’t have authority to arrest US citizens,” Lander is heard telling ICE agents in the video as they put him in handcuffs. But ICE said Lander was undermining officials. “Our heroic ICE law enforcement officers face a 413% increase in assaults against them—it is wrong that politicians seeking higher office undermine law enforcement safety to get a viral moment,” Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told the BBC. “No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences.”
As far as I can tell in reading the article, he didn’t lay a hand on *anyone*. And, 413%? Heh. Well, if ICE weren’t being jerks, there might not have been any increase, or at least a much smaller one. Their methods leave a lot to be desired. Doing giant sweeps and arresting big groups of people at once, people who are good neighbors, good workers, and just plain old good people, is excessive. This is what got the LA protests started!
Y’know, I don’t understand the minds of ICE agents. How can they justify the things they’ve done, and probably will continue to do? This is some scary shizzle! The belief that they are always right. The belief that immigrants are worthless and illegal and don’t belong in the United States. The belief that the numbers arrested matter more than ripping people away from their homes and families. I don’t get it. So, let’s change the subject back to what else the BBC had to say:
New York Attorney General Letitia James called the arrest “profoundly unacceptable”. “Arresting Comptroller Lander for the simple act of standing up for immigrants and their civil rights is a shocking abuse of power,” she said in a statement. “No one should face fear and intimidation in a courthouse, and this is a grotesque escalation of tensions. The administration’s rampant targeting of New Yorkers only makes our communities less safe.”
New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman called on elected officials and candidates for office to condemn the arrest. “ICE arresting Brad Lander for asking questions is a stunning abuse of power and a threat to our democracy,” Ms Lieberman said. “Arresting a public official, the duly elected comptroller of the City of New York, for asking questions is dangerous intimidation and shows a wanton disregard for the will of the people of New York.
They’re right. They are *absolutely* right. There was NO touching, unless you call someone’s question a touch. Trump is letting loose just like he publicly promised. I’m waiting for the protests to start in NYC, and they will. Remember the picture from the No Kings protest? Yes, that. Exactly. Let’s close on an interesting note. Still from the BBC:
It sends an unmistakably authoritarian message – that ICE doesn’t care about the rule of law and that anyone exercising their right to challenge ICE and speak up for immigrants will be punished.”
Trump’s immigration crackdown has included cross-country raids and an increasing number of deportations, and also sparked days of protest against ICE, particularly in Los Angeles.
Since El Presidente Imbécil doesn’t think, he has no idea what he’s put in motion. There will be more protests coming. The people are rising up for those who can’t. They are against the man WHO PAINTS HIS FACE ORANGE. They (We!) will build upon what’s already in motion. tRump will *forcefully* be reminded of the phrase “We the People”.
Thanks for sticking with me!
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If I were the Governor of New York, I’d warn Drumpf from setting foot in the state or HE will face arrest. As far as I’m aware, he still owes MASSIVE fines from the cases brought against CITIZEN Drumpf and he should be held just as accountable as any other DEADBEAT (you know, because as the ICE official ironically reminded us, “No one is above the law”).
Or, at the very least, order the confiscation of ALL of Drumpf’s New York properties–and let Donald take the matter to court.
Ohhhhh, what a lovely thought! I can’t see it happening, but I wish it would! I’m also pretty certain he didn’t pay the fines. I think they are increasing every day, but I can’t remember the specifics of why. Damn. New York State is certainly owed a LOT of money for tRump losing that court case as a CITIZEN – I agree!