‘Unbecoming of a Free Society’: Ex-NY Post Editor Slams ‘Rough Treatment’ of Top NYC Democrat By Federal Agents

(AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

Author and former New York Post opinions editor Sohrab Ahmari called the treatment of New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander “unbecoming of of a free society” after the Democratic lawmaker was arrested by ICE.

At a New York court, Lander tried preventing the arrest of illegal migrants. In footage captured of the incident, Lander got into a scuffle with ICE agents as he tried to prevent them from taking a man into custody. At another point, he locked arms with a migrant as agents tried to separate them.

“I will let go when you show me the judicial warrant,” Lander told agents.

Lander was separated from the man and taken into custody.

“You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens!” Lander yelled as he was handcuffed. “I’m not obstructing. I’m standing right here in the hallway! I asked to see the judicial warrant.”

“I consider [Brad Lander] a friend despite profound disagreements on some issues,” Ahmari wrote on X. “He’s an honorable, honest public servant. This rough treatment is uncalled for and unbecoming of a free society.”

Ahmari’s post was in response to Lander’s wife, Meg Barnette, taken to his Twitter account to give an update on the situation.

“Hi, this is Meg Barnette, Brad’s wife,” she wrote. “While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE. This is still developing, and our team is monitoring the situation closely.”

In a post just an hour later, she said Lander remained in ICE custody.

“Hi, it’s Meg again. Brad is still in ICE custody,” she wrote. “We are grateful to the many friends, supporters, and allies who have gathered in Federal Plaza. Together we are standing up for those with no voice.”