6 hours ago 1

Images of Handcuffed Democrats Are Piling Up in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.

Federal agents have arrested a growing number of the party’s elected officials, fueling liberal outrage and conservative accusations that Democrats are carrying out publicity stunts.

Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller, flanked by several federal agents who are holding his handcuffed arms behind his back. Two of them are wearing masks, and other people behind them are holding up their phones to record the incident.

June 18, 2025Updated 5:41 a.m. ET

A United States senator forced to the floor and handcuffed by federal agents for interrupting a news conference. A mayor taken into custody by masked officials in military-style fatigues. A political candidate pushed against a wall and handcuffed in a dispute at an immigration courthouse.

With tensions rising over President Trump’s mass deportation policies, the government crackdown is extending to the political opposition.

As Democrats struggle to push back against the administration, federal agents have arrested or clashed with a growing number of the party’s elected officials. The scenes of chaos reflect the tinderbox nature of this political moment, and the expanding national battles over due process, the rule of law and the system of checks and balances.

“This is executive authority, especially in the Department of Homeland Security, running out of control,” said Senator Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat. “Do the members of Congress need security details to defend themselves from the executive branch? God, I hope not.”

The most recent instance came on Tuesday, when Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller and a mayoral candidate, was arrested at an immigration courthouse in Lower Manhattan as he tried to escort a migrant whom agents were seeking to arrest.

The Department of Homeland Security suggested that Mr. Lander, who has trailed in polls of the mayoral race, was seeking to “undermine law enforcement safety to get a viral moment,” and said that he had assaulted law enforcement, claims he denied after his release later Tuesday.