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

Jerrold Nadler slams Trump admin and DHS for detaining NYC office aide: 'They're behaving like fascists'
Rep Jerrold Nadler slammed the Donald Trump administration after a tense incident at his Manhattan congressional office, where federal agents briefly detained one of his staffers (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images and WNYC/YouTube)

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." 

Rep Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill on November 20, 2024, in Washington, DC (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Rep Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill on November 20, 2024, in Washington, DC (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

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.”

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 28: U.S. President Donald Trump walks towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on March 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is headed to Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Florida for the weekend. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump walks towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on March 28, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

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." 

Rep Jerry Nadler (D-NY) leaves a House Democratic caucus meeting on February 14, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Rep Jerry Nadler (D-NY) leaves a House Democratic caucus meeting on February 14, 2024, in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) joins local politicians, transportation and environmental advocates for a news conference outside the Lincoln Tunnel urging the immediate implementation of New York’s Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program, on April 21, 2023 in New York City. The congestion pricing plan, which has been signed into law, will charge travelers a variable fee for driving into Manhattan’s Central Business District, defined as any area south of 61st Street. Supporters claim the program will lead to safer streets, less traffic and less pollution in the air. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Rep Jerry Nadler (D-NY) joins local politicians, transportation and environmental advocates for a news conference outside the Lincoln Tunnel urging the immediate implementation of New York’s Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program, on April 21, 2023, in New York City (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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. 

Rep Jerry Nadler (D-NY) speaks during a press conference on the Climate Change Superfund Act at Pier 17 on May 26, 2023, in New York City (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)
Rep Jerry Nadler (D-NY) speaks during a press conference on the Climate Change Superfund Act at Pier 17 on May 26, 2023, in New York City (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

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.

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