""I want a trial," said Lander, the city's comptroller and an ally of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. He spoke after emerging from a federal courtroom in Manhattan, where he'd waited to hear what action authorities would take over his Sept. 18 protest alongside several lawmakers. He vowed to keep protesting the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and said a trial would "bring to light" what federal authorities are doing."
"Lander was singled out by Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement after his arrest. She called him "another sanctuary politician pulling a stunt in attempt to get their 15 minutes of fame while endangering DHS personnel and detainees," referring to so-called sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between local authorities and immigration agents in a handful of jurisdictions nationwide."
Brad Lander, New York City comptroller, chose to go to trial on a misdemeanor obstruction charge related to protests at an immigration holding facility, rejecting a deal that would have dismissed the case in six months. He emerged from a federal courtroom in Manhattan and vowed to continue protesting the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, saying a trial would bring to light federal actions. Lander was previously arrested in June after linking arms with a person authorities were detaining. He is allied with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, cross-endorsed him in the primary, and is rumored to be considering a run for Congress. Department of Homeland Security leadership publicly criticized his actions. Eleven officials were arrested while attempting to inspect holding rooms at 26 Federal Plaza, and federal prosecutors declined to comment.
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