Big Apple Dem accused of seeking “viral moment” in “phased” arrest days before elections
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New York City auditor-general Brad Lander, a Democrat, was released for several hours after being beaten on Tuesday.
While Rand, who ran for mayor of New York City, is now a hero by many progressives, some say his arrest is more political than activism.
Former New York City Councilman and Republican political agent Joe Borelli told Fox News Numbers that he believes Lander’s arrest was a “acting event.”
“Election Day is a week today and early voting started. The purpose is undoubtedly to attract the headlines he has received,” Borrelli said. “It’s instant name recognition and establishing a stronger liberal goodwill.”
Local Republican leader says
New York City Auditor General Brad Lander, a Democrat (left), was released and was detained for hours only on suspicion of assaulting immigration officials. (NYC Auditor General Brad Rand website)
In a conversation with Fox News, Borrelli likened Rand’s arrest to the detention of Newark Democratic mayor Ras Baraka and Senators D-Calif, who were detained for suspected sabotage of different federal activities.
“This is a script for left-handed politicians who want to be a mind. They try to be arrested, arrested, and then be faked outrage for being arrested,” he said.
He went on to say that Lander’s arrest was part of a “coordination plan” that “benefits not only Brad Lander, but also Zohran Mamdani, whom he had committed.”
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“So any motivation from Brad can help the left-leaning faction led by Zohran,” Borelli explained.
Rand was arrested by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agent on Tuesday after allegedly attacking federal officials.
Lander’s arrested videotape appears to show him hanging on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer (ICE) agent for escorting the defendants in the immigration court in 26 Federal Plaza, repeatedly asking officials if there is a judicial order.
New York City Auditor General Brad Lander was arrested by Department of Homeland Security agents on June 17, 2025. (Brad Lander/X)
“When you show me the judicial order, I will let it go.” “Where is it? Where is the arrest warrant?”
A few hours later, Rand walked out of the federal court where he was imprisoned. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a press conference outside the court that the allegations against Lander have been dropped, although the U.S. attorney’s office in the southern New York region said it was “continuing to investigate” Lander’s actions.
A DHS spokesman said in response to the incident: “Our heroic Bingbing law enforcement officers face 413% of their attacks, which is wrong, and politicians seeking higher offices undermine law enforcement security to get the virus moment.”
“No one is above the law, and if you lend a hand to law enforcement, you will have consequences,” a spokesperson said.
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New York mayor and mayoral candidate Brad Lander spoke at a press conference in New York City on February 18, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“I’m glad to hear that the allegations were not brought up. But, if so, I have a lawyer. I don’t have to worry about my due process rights,” Rand said after his release on Tuesday.
Rand accused the Trump administration of “depriving” of due process rights to illegal immigrants.
At a press conference outside the federal building, Rand said: “This is a crucial time to have a person who will stand up, stand on the ice and stick to Donald Trump and stick to the due process and laws of the city. It’s a sanctuary city. I’m proud to support these laws. I’ll show up and defend them.”
He thanked the New York City Democratic mayoral candidate for protesting his arrest and targeted former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the main candidate for New York City mayor, and said: “New Yorkers should be better than Andrew Cuomo in the mayor.”
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Mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo condemned the arrest, saying the ice was “out of control”. (Reuters/David ‘Dee’Delgado)
“I am very grateful to other mayoral candidates for coming here to call on me to release me … I really hope New Yorkers can elect one of us,” Rand said.
New York Senate Republican leader Rob Ortt responded to the incident, telling Fox News Digital: “Anyone who obstructs or attacks law enforcement officers, including politicians who crave attention, should be arrested.”
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William O’Reilly, a political adviser for Republican New York, also got stuck, told Fox News Digital that he believed that “Lander was just New York City’s latest stupid New York City progressive, arrested for supporting the offender.”
“More than half of the democratic mayoral field is running on platforms that violate U.S. immigration laws. That’s what all responsible voters need to know,” Oreley said.
Lander’s office and campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Alexandra Koch of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
