NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Rejects Plea Deal, Heads to Trial

Thu Nov 20 2025 05:01:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, arrested during a protest at an immigration facility, opts for trial instead of accepting a plea deal over an obstruction charge.

Brad Lander, New York City's Chief Fiscal Officer, has chosen to go to trial on a misdemeanor obstruction charge following his arrest at an immigration holding facility. Lander aims to raise awareness about federal immigration policies through his actions and protests. The comptroller has been involved in multiple protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies, and he emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding conditions at immigration facilities.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s chief fiscal officer Brad Lander, who was arrested two months ago protesting conditions at an immigration holding facility, chose Tuesday to go to trial on a misdemeanor obstruction charge rather than accept a deal that would have made the case go away in six months.

I want a trial, said Lander, who is an ally of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

He spoke after exiting a federal courtroom in Manhattan, where he was waiting to hear about developments in the case regarding his protest on September 18 alongside several lawmakers. Lander is determined to continue highlighting the situation regarding the Trump administration’s immigration policies and believes a trial will provide a platform to expose what federal authorities are doing.

This is not Lander’s first run-in with law enforcement over this issue. In June, he was arrested at an immigration court in Manhattan when he attempted to link arms with a person being detained. This incident elevated the profile of the typically reserved politician known for his technocratic approach.

Both Lander and Mamdani endorsed each other during the final weeks of the primary campaign, and rumors suggest that Lander may consider a congressional run in the future.

Following his arrest, Lander was called out by Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who characterized Lander's actions as a publicity stunt that could endanger both DHS personnel and detainees. The term “sanctuary politician” was used to describe his protest efforts.

Despite having the option to accept a deal that would dismiss the obstruction charge after six months, Lander has opted to face the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in prison. He aims to regroup with fellow protestors to return to the facility later this week to continue advocating for more humane treatment of detained immigrants.

Amid continuing federal immigration operations, which President Donald Trump asserts are necessary to combat crime, Lander and other officials tried to inspect holding facilities as part of their protest. They contended that conditions inside were unsatisfactory, referencing a judge’s ruling that required improvements in cleanliness and capacity limits. Some of the 11 officials arrested with Lander have accepted the deferred prosecution agreements.