Rep. Jerry Nadler (D–New York) is accusing the Trump administration of authoritarian overreach after one of his congressional aides was detained by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents last week in Manhattan.
The incident occurred on May 28 in a shared hallway of a federal building that houses both Nadler’s district office and an immigration courtroom. According to witnesses, DHS officers attempted to enter a private area of Nadler’s office and told an aide on site, “You’re harboring rioters in the office.”
Earlier that day, immigrant rights advocates had gathered peacefully outside the building, but no violence or riots were reported. The immigration court is located on the fifth floor, with Nadler’s office one floor above.
In a statement, DHS claimed their agents entered the area out of concern for staff safety after being told protesters might have entered the office. The agency said a staffer blocked their access and was detained to allow officers to proceed with their search.
However, a video from the scene shows a second Nadler aide standing at the door and asking the officers to show a warrant. The agents declined and forced their way past her without presenting one.
Robert Gottheim, Nadler’s chief of staff, disputed DHS’s account, saying the officers were provoked by the staff’s support for immigrant advocates and were upset that congressional aides had witnessed them detaining migrants in the building.
In an interview following the incident, Nadler strongly condemned the Trump administration’s actions.
“President Trump is trying to intimidate members of Congress and their staff,” Nadler said. “This is fascist behavior—plain and simple.”
The incident has further fueled tensions over immigration enforcement tactics under the Trump administration, with critics warning of growing threats to civil liberties and congressional independence.
