Jerrold Nadler slams Trump admin and DHS for detaining NYC office aide: 'They're behaving like fascists'

NEW YORK, MANHATTAN: Longtime Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler expressed his outrage at President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after federal agents stormed his Lower Manhattan office and handcuffed one of his aides in a tense and caught-on-camera standoff. 

The dramatic incident unfolded on Wednesday, May 28, when Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers accused Nadler’s staff of "harboring rioters." 

While DHS later described the encounter as a routine security check triggered by nearby disturbances, the image of a tearful staffer in cuffs and agents demanding entry without a warrant has fueled a fresh wave of political fury.

Jerrold Nadler's fiery response after his aide is detained by Homeland Security officials

Rep Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) strongly criticized the Donald Trump administration following a tense incident at his Manhattan congressional office, where federal agents briefly detained one of his staffers.

Nadler issued a fiery response, accusing the Trump administration and DHS of using intimidation tactics on Saturday, May 30.

In a statement to Politico, he said, “President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security are sowing chaos in our communities, using intimidating tactics against both citizens and non-citizens in a reckless and dangerous manner.”

He continued, "In the most recent and deeply troubling incident, DHS agents forcefully entered my Congressional office and handcuffed a member of my staff."

He also explained that he was "alarmed by the aggressive and heavy-handed tactics DHS is employing in New York City and across the country." 

Speaking to The New York Times, Nadler added, “The Trump administration is trying to intimidate members of Congress. They’re behaving like fascists. We have to fight them. We don’t want to be a fascist country.”

He concluded, "If this can happen in a Member of Congress’s office, it can happen to anyone — and it is happening."

DHS releases statement after detaining one of Jerrold Nadler's staffers

According to reports from the New York Post, DHS officers entered the office last Wednesday, May 28, claiming Nadler’s staff was “harboring rioters.”

The confrontation, captured on video and later published by The Gothamist, shows a visibly emotional female staffer being handcuffed while another employee demands a warrant and blocks an agent from accessing a private area.

In the footage, one of the officers insists, “I’m a federal officer, we’re here checking on something,” before adding, “We have the right to check. You are harboring rioters in the office.” The staff member eventually allowed the officer access after a brief standoff. 

The DHS later issued a statement explaining the incident. The Federal Protective Service (FPS) said that the agents visited the office to conduct a routine security check after receiving concerning reports related to nearby facilities.

According to the agency, the female staffer became “verbally confrontational” and physically obstructed the officers despite their identifying themselves and explaining the purpose of their visit. She was briefly detained in the hallway to complete the security check and was later released without charges.