Democratic Congressman Jerrold Nadler lashed out at President Trump following a startling episode in which one of his staffers was handcuffed by federal agents at his Manhattan district office.
The incident unfolded when officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered Nadler’s office on Wednesday, accusing staff members of concealing individuals allegedly involved in protests. The tense encounter was caught on camera and has since sparked significant backlash.
“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,” Nadler said in comments to Politico.
He added, “If this can happen in a Member of Congress’s office, it can happen to anyone — and it is happening.”

Footage obtained by Gothamist captured the moment a visibly distressed female staffer was forcefully restrained by a DHS officer. Meanwhile, another employee demanded to see a warrant and stood in front of a second agent to prevent access to a separate area within the office, which shares a building with the federal immigration court on Varick Street.
“I’m a federal officer, we’re here checking on something,” the officer can be heard telling the staffer who blocked his path, according to the video.
“We have the right to check. You are harboring rioters in the office,” he continued. The exchange ended with the staffer reluctantly allowing the agent into the restricted section.
Nadler condemned the confrontation as an egregious breach of lawful conduct, saying it raised serious concerns about how federal authority is being exercised.
According to DHS, the Federal Protective Service visited the congressman’s office to investigate claims that demonstrators were hiding inside. The agency provided a statement to The Post outlining its reasoning.
“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,” officials said.
Upon arrival, the woman who was detained allegedly acted in a hostile manner and physically impeded entry, despite the officers identifying themselves and explaining their presence, the department said.
“The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check,” DHS explained.
The standoff reportedly began after a Nadler staff member allowed two activists into the office. These individuals were monitoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations at the adjacent courthouse.
Nadler fiercely criticized the Trump administration’s response, accusing it of employing oppressive measures to silence political dissent.
“The Trump administration is trying to intimidate members of Congress,” Nadler told the New York Times Saturday.
“They’re behaving like fascists. We have to fight them. We don’t want to be a fascist country.”
{Matzav.com}