Latest news with #FederalProtectiveService
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Nadler, Raskin push Jordan for investigation into DHS handcuffing of staffer
Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) are demanding House Judiciary Committee Republicans launch an investigation after officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pushed their way into the New York Democrat's office and handcuffed one of his staffers. The incident began after Nadler's office last week allowed protesters to enter their office after demonstrating at an immigration court housed within the same federal building. While the DHS accused the congressional office of 'harboring rioters,' Nadler referred to those in his office as 'observers.' 'A statement issued later by DHS claimed the agents were doing a 'security check,' and yet the video that has been released shows them handcuffing a staffer, demanding access to non-public areas of Rep. Nadler's office, and never once asking about the safety and security of his staff,' wrote Nadler and Raskin, the top Democrat on the panel, in the joint letter. 'These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated. The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. We call on you, as Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to condemn this aggressive affront to the separation of powers and the safety of Members of Congress, our staff, and our constituents.' Nadler during an interview on CNN on Monday blasted the DHS, accusing them of lying about the incident. 'They barged in. And in barging in one of the offices, a very big, heavyset fellow pushed my aide — a very petite young woman — and they then said that she pushed back and they shackled her and took her downstairs,' Nadler told the outlet. 'And she was obviously traumatized.' Video of the incident shows a Nadler staffer crying as she is handcuffed. The DHS later clarified the agents were Federal Protective Service personnel, who provide security at federal buildings. The officials were not there to harass Nadler's staff, the agency said, but to protect it. But the statement does not mention that nearly two dozen people were arrested in connection with the protests. 'Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler's District Office in Manhattan, New York. Based on earlier incidents in a nearby facility, FPS officers were concerned about the safety of the federal employees in the office and went to the location to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present. Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals,' the DHS said in a statement. 'Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.' Jordan's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The two Democratic lawmakers called the incident 'part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic, and reckless tactics in communities across America.' 'The time is now to halt the use of these illegitimate tactics and to ensure that DHS complies with the law and with the norms of common human decency,' they wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
8 hours ago
- General
- The Hill
Nadler, Raskin push Jordan for investigation into DHS handcuffing of staffer
Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) are demanding House Judiciary Republicans launch an investigation after officers from the Department of Homeland Security pushed their way into the New York Democrat's office and handcuffed one of his staffers. The incident began after Nadler's office last week allowed protestors to enter their office after demonstrating at an immigration court housed within the same federal building. While DHS accused the congressional office of 'harboring rioters,' Nadler referred to those in his office as 'observers.' 'A statement issued later by DHS claimed the agents were doing a 'security check,' and yet the video that has been released shows them handcuffing a staffer, demanding access to non-public areas of Rep. Nadler's office, and never once asking about the safety and security of his staff,' Nadler and Raskin, the top Democrat on the panel, wrote in the joint letter. 'These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated. The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. We call on you, as Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to condemn this aggressive affront to the separation of powers and the safety of Members of Congress, our staff, and our constituents.' Nadler during an interview on CNN on Monday blasted DHS, accusing them of lying about the incident. 'They barged in. And in barging in one of the offices, a very big, heavyset fellow pushed my aide — a very petite young woman — and they then said that she pushed back and they shackled her and took her downstairs,' Nadler told the outlet. 'And she was obviously traumatized.' Video of the incident shows a Nadler staffer crying as she is handcuffed. DHS later clarified the agents were Federal Protective Service personnel, who provide security at federal buildings. The officials were not there to harass Nadler's staff, the agency said, but to protect it. But the statement does not mention that nearly two dozen people were arrested in connection with the protests. 'Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler's District Office in Manhattan, New York. Based on earlier incidents in a nearby facility, FPS officers were concerned about the safety of the federal employees in the office and went to the location to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present. Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals,' DHS said in a statement. 'Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.' Jordan's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The two Democratic lawmakers called the incident 'part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic, and reckless tactics in communities across America.' 'The time is now to halt the use of these illegitimate tactics and to ensure that DHS complies with the law and with the norms of common human decency,' they wrote.
American Military News
a day ago
- Politics
- American Military News
Video: Democrat staffer detained for allegedly 'harboring rioters'
A staff member working for Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) was temporarily detained by Federal Protective Service officers on Wednesday after the staff member 'verbally confrontational and physically blocked' officers from accessing the Democrat congressman's district office in Manhattan while allegedly 'harboring rioters in the office.' A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, shows one of Nadler's female staff members at his Manhattan office being handcuffed by Federal Protective Service agents while a second staff member tried to prevent an agent from entering the Democrat congressman's office. In the video, a Federal Protective Service agent can be heard telling the staff member, 'We have the right to check.' The agent later added, 'You [are] harboring rioters in the office.' At the end of the video, the second Nadler staff member can be seen allowing the agent to enter the office. In a Monday statement, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Federal Protective Service officers responded last Wednesday to 'information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler's District Office in Manhattan, New York.' The Department of Homeland Security noted that the officers were 'concerned about the safety' of the employees in Nadler's office due to 'earlier incidents in a nearby facility.' As a result, Federal Protective Service officers went to Nadler's office to 'ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present.' 'Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals. Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office,' the Department of Homeland Security stated. 'The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.' READ MORE: Video: Democrat congresswoman charged for breaching ICE facility Following Wednesday's incident, Nadler criticized President Donald Trump and his administration in a statement to Politico, saying, '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. In the most recent and deeply troubling incident, DHS agents forcefully entered my Congressional office and handcuffed a member of my staff.' Nadler added, 'If this can happen in a Member of Congress's office, it can happen to anyone — and it is happening.' In a statement to The New York Times, the Democrat congressman claimed that Trump's administration is 'behaving like fascists' and is 'trying to intimidate members of Congress.' 'We have to fight them,' Nadler said. 'We don't want to be a fascist country.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dem Congressman Blasts 'Deeply Troubling' DHS Handcuffing Of Staffer In New York Office
Agents from the Department of Homeland Security handcuffed a staffer in Rep. Jerry Nadler's New York office last Wednesday, according to a statement the Congressman posted on X. The incident was also captured on video, which was obtained by Gothamist. In the video, a DHS agent can be seen handcuffing a staffer who is distressed and crying. A second agent is seen attempting to enter another room in the office, which is occupied by a second staff member. That staffer then asks if he has a warrant and the agent says he doesn't need one, and accuses the office of 'harboring rioters.' Nadler raised alarm about DHS's conduct, noting that 'no arrests were made' and that 'the situation was quickly de-escalated,' but that it was disturbing that the incident took place at all. 'The decision to enter a Congressional office and detain a staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries,' Nadler wrote. 'If this can happen in a Member of Congress's office, it can happen to anyone–and is happening.' In its statement regarding the incident, a senior DHS official told HuffPost that members of the Federal Protective Service 'responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler's District Office in Manhattan, New York.' That statement also claimed that agents visited the office to 'ensure the safety and well-being of those present' due to 'earlier incidents in a nearby facility.' The statement does not reference remarks that the DHS agent made about the office 'harboring rioters,' and has been contested by Nadler's chief of staff Robert Gottheim, who has called it a 'total fabrication and lie.' 'DHS's statement that they were coming in for a safety check doesn't mesh with the video,' Gottheim told The New York Daily News, adding that the staffer who was handcuffed is 'traumatized.' Nadler's Manhattan office is located in the same building as an immigration court where DHS agents were also detaining immigrants that day, The New York Times reports. Gottheim told The Times that staffers witnessed these confrontations and invited immigration advocates to the office, which upset DHS agents. 'Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals,' the DHS official said. 'Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.' DHS agents' detention of Nadler's staffer follows multiple cases of federal law enforcement penalizing Democratic leaders. Previously, ICE officers arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka while he was visiting a New Jersey detention facility. And New Jersey's federal prosecutor has also charged Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) with assault over her alleged actions at the facility during that same visit. Nadler condemned the 'aggressive and heavy-handed tactics' employed by DHS against his office and immigrants in general in his statement. 'Trump and the Department of Homeland Security are sowing chaos in our communities,' he wrote.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dem Congressman Blasts 'Deeply Troubling' DHS Handcuffing Of Staffer In New York Office
Agents from the Department of Homeland Security handcuffed a staffer in Rep. Jerry Nadler's New York office last Wednesday, according to a statement the Congressman posted on X. The incident was also captured on video, which was obtained by Gothamist. In the video, a DHS agent can be seen handcuffing a staffer who is distressed and crying. A second agent is seen attempting to enter another room in the office, which is occupied by a second staff member. That staffer then asks if he has a warrant and the agent says he doesn't need one, and accuses the office of 'harboring rioters.' Nadler raised alarm about DHS's conduct, noting that 'no arrests were made' and that 'the situation was quickly de-escalated,' but that it was disturbing that the incident took place at all. 'The decision to enter a Congressional office and detain a staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries,' Nadler wrote. 'If this can happen in a Member of Congress's office, it can happen to anyone–and is happening.' In its statement regarding the incident, a senior DHS official told HuffPost that members of the Federal Protective Service 'responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler's District Office in Manhattan, New York.' That statement also claimed that agents visited the office to 'ensure the safety and well-being of those present' due to 'earlier incidents in a nearby facility.' The statement does not reference remarks that the DHS agent made about the office 'harboring rioters,' and has been contested by Nadler's chief of staff Robert Gottheim, who has called it a 'total fabrication and lie.' 'DHS's statement that they were coming in for a safety check doesn't mesh with the video,' Gottheim told The New York Daily News, adding that the staffer who was handcuffed is 'traumatized.' Nadler's Manhattan office is located in the same building as an immigration court where DHS agents were also detaining immigrants that day, The New York Times reports. Gottheim told The Times that staffers witnessed these confrontations and invited immigration advocates to the office, which upset DHS agents. 'Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals,' the DHS official said. 'Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.' DHS agents' detention of Nadler's staffer follows multiple cases of federal law enforcement penalizing Democratic leaders. Previously, ICE officers arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka while he was visiting a New Jersey detention facility. And New Jersey's federal prosecutor has also charged Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) with assault over her alleged actions at the facility during that same visit. Nadler condemned the 'aggressive and heavy-handed tactics' employed by DHS against his office and immigrants in general in his statement. 'Trump and the Department of Homeland Security are sowing chaos in our communities,' he wrote.
