Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler Says Trump Is ‘Exhibiting Fascist Behavior’ After DHS Arrests One Of His Staffers

One of Rep. Jerry Nadler’s (D-New York) aides was detained by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers on May 28 in Manhattan.

The event took place in a public hallway shared in the building that houses Nadler’s office as well as an immigration courtroom. Officers from the DHS were trying to enter a private area within Nadler’s office, and an agent had said to an aide: “You’re harboring rioters in the office.”

There were protesters outside the building earlier in the day, but no riots were reported. The protesters were advocating for immigrant rights. The court is on the fifth floor, while Nadler’s office is on the sixth.

The DHS issued a statement, claiming that the agents entered the office area to ensure the staff’s safety after being informed that protesters were inside. The statement claimed that a staff member had blocked the entrance to the office, and the officers detained her to continue and finish their search.

In a video documenting the scene, it can be seen that a second aide was at the door, requesting that the officers present a warrant. The officers responded to the staff member, saying that they did not need to show a warrant before passing her.

Nadler’s chief of staff, Robert Gottheim, contradicted the claims made by the DHS, saying that the officers were angered by staff members inviting immigration rights activists to Nadler’s office. Gottheim also stated that the officers were enraged over staff members witnessing officers detaining migrants in the building.

In an interview this week, Nadler said that President Donald Trump is attempting to frighten members of Congress and that the administration is exhibiting “fascist behavior.”