Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) are demanding House Judiciary Republicans launch an investigation after officers from the Department of Homeland Security pushed their way into the New York Democrat’s office and handcuffed one of his staffers.
The incident began after Nadler’s office last week allowed protestors to enter their office after demonstrating at an immigration court housed within the same federal building.
While DHS accused the congressional office of “harboring rioters,” Nadler referred to those in his office as “observers.”
“A statement issued later by DHS claimed the agents were doing a ‘security check,’ and yet the video that has been released shows them handcuffing a staffer, demanding access to non-public areas of Rep. Nadler’s office, and never once asking about the safety and security of his staff,” Nadler and Raskin, the top Democrat on the panel, wrote in the joint letter.
“These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated. The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. We call on you, as Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to condemn this aggressive affront to the separation of powers and the safety of Members of Congress, our staff, and our constituents.”
Nadler during an interview on CNN on Monday blasted DHS, accusing them of lying about the incident.
“They barged in. And in barging in one of the offices, a very big, heavyset fellow pushed my aide — a very petite young woman — and they then said that she pushed back and they shackled her and took her downstairs,” Nadler told the outlet.
“And she was obviously traumatized.”
Video of the incident shows a Nadler staffer crying as she is handcuffed.
DHS later clarified the agents were Federal Protective Service personnel, who provide security at federal buildings. The officials were not there to harass Nadler’s staff, the agency said, but to protect it.
But the statement does not mention that nearly two dozen people were arrested in connection with the protests.
“Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler’s District Office in Manhattan, New York. 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. Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals,” DHS said in a statement.
“Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.”
Jordan’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The two Democratic lawmakers called the incident “part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic, and reckless tactics in communities across America.”
“The time is now to halt the use of these illegitimate tactics and to ensure that DHS complies with the law and with the norms of common human decency,” they wrote.
