Masked ICE Thugs Manhandle And Arrest ANOTHER Dem

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes Episode Title: Masked ICE Thugs Manhandle And Arrest Another Dem
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Hosts: Sam Stein and Tim Miller
Description: Bulwark Takes delivers concise analyses of daily news from The Bulwark team, including insights from Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, Bill Kristol, and others.

---

1. Introduction to the Incident

Timestamp: [02:01]

Sam Stein opens the discussion by addressing a concerning pattern involving ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) actions against Democratic officials. The focal point of this episode is the arrest of Brad Lander, the New York City Comptroller and a mayoral candidate. Lander was detained at an immigration courthouse in lower Manhattan for attempting to prevent the arrest of a migrant, an act perceived as obstruction of federal law enforcement.

Sam Stein:
"It's us who are here to talk about another Democrat being handcuffed by ICE. It appears to be a weekly routine at this juncture. In this case, it was Brad Lander..."
[02:01]

2. Detailed Account of the Arrest

Timestamp: [03:00 - 04:00]

Tim Miller and Sam Stein review a video of the arrest, highlighting the aggressive tactics used by ICE agents. The agents were masked and physically restrained Lander, raising questions about the legitimacy and necessity of such force.

Tim Miller:
"It's horrible... they are doing this in the most escalatory way possible, the most fascistic way possible."
[04:06]

3. Critique of ICE's Methods

Timestamp: [05:00 - 08:30]

The hosts express deep concern over the use of masks by ICE agents, arguing that it undermines trust and accountability in law enforcement. They criticize the lack of transparency, noting that masked agents prevent the public from knowing the identities of those enforcing the law.

Sam Stein:
"There has to be some level of accountability for law enforcement... when you mask someone up, it erodes that trust."
[06:19]

Tim Miller:
"This feels un-American... like something that's in a dystopia or in a fascist country."
[07:30]

4. Broader Patterns and Political Implications

Timestamp: [09:00 - 12:00]

The conversation shifts to a broader pattern of ICE arrests targeting Democratic officials, drawing parallels to recent incidents involving other politicians like Alex Padilla and Kristi Noem. Miller suggests that these actions may be politically motivated, aiming to suppress opposition.

Sam Stein:
"We now have a fairly decent pattern of this happening with Democratic officials and the Trump administration."
[09:41]

Tim Miller:
"They targeted their political opposition... this could get really ugly."
[10:52]

5. Ethical Concerns and Calls for Accountability

Timestamp: [07:16 - 09:23]

Stein and Miller emphasize the ethical necessity for law enforcement officials to reveal their identities and maintain transparency. They argue that accountability is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that law enforcement acts within the bounds of integrity.

Sam Stein:
"You have a right to know who is doing this to you... when you mask someone up, it erodes that trust."
[06:19]

Tim Miller:
"It's totally unnecessary, thuggish cop behavior."
[12:04]

6. Potential Impact on Upcoming Political Events

Timestamp: [11:37 - 13:16]

The hosts discuss the potential repercussions of these aggressive ICE actions on upcoming elections, particularly focusing on Lander's mayoral campaign. They speculate that such incidents could sway public opinion and influence the dynamics of the Democratic primary.

Tim Miller:
"Lander's running for mayor... he wanted to create a moment. He got a moment."
[11:55]

Sam Stein:
"This is just starting and these deportation proceedings are just ramping up."
[09:22]

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [13:16 - End]

Sam Stein and Tim Miller conclude the episode by reiterating their concerns about the aggressive nature of ICE's recent actions and the potential for escalating political tensions. They call for greater accountability and more humane law enforcement practices to preserve democratic values and trust in government institutions.

Tim Miller:
"Unless you want the confrontation."
[05:15]

Sam Stein:
"We don't want a system in which there is not [accountability...]"
[06:19]

---

Notable Quotes

• Tim Miller:
  “They are doing this in the most escalatory way possible, the most fascistic way possible.”
  [05:55]

• Sam Stein:
  “When you mask someone up, it erodes that trust.”
  [06:19]

• Tim Miller:
  “This could get really ugly.”
  [10:52]

---

This episode of Bulwark Takes provides a critical examination of ICE's recent tactics against Democratic officials, highlighting concerns over transparency, accountability, and the potential political motivations behind such aggressive actions. Through detailed discussion and impactful quotes, Sam Stein and Tim Miller shed light on the troubling trends that may have significant implications for U.S. politics and law enforcement integrity.

Transcript

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[Richard Karn]

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[Sam Stein]

It's me, Sam Stein, managing editor at the Bulwark. I'm joined by Tim Miller. We are here to talk about another Democrat being handcuffed by ice. It appears to be a weekly routine at this juncture. In this case, it was Brad Lander. He's the New York City Comptroller. He's actually a candidate for mayor. We have that election, Democratic primary coming up there. I'll give a little bit of background and Tim, you just take it away. Basically, Lander was at an immigration courthouse in lower Manhattan, tried to escort a migrant out of the building to prevent the migrants arrest. So he was obstructing the act of arresting a migrant. People who are champions of ICE and defenders of Don Trump will say, well, he deserves it. He's got to come. And he obstructed federal law enforcement activity. And this is what happens. No one's above the law. And yet when you watch this video, it's no less shocking to me. I ICE agents with wearing masks, kind of roughing him up. He's asking for a warrant. I don't know what your thoughts are. Do you want to watch the video first?

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, let's watch the video.

[Sam Stein]

Okay. Watch the video.

[Richard Karn]

Back up.

[Sam Stein]

Sorry. Back up.

[Tim Miller]

I won't make this difficult.

[Sam Stein]

Sorry.

[Tim Miller]

Back up, Back up.

[Sam Stein]

Cause any problems, I will let go.

[Richard Karn]

When you show me the judicial. Where is it, sir? I would like to see the warrant.

[Sam Stein]

I would like to see the warrant.

[Tim Miller]

And then I will let go.

[Richard Karn]

I would like to see the warrant. You don't have the authority to arrest US Citizens.

[Sam Stein]

Sir.

[Richard Karn]

You don't have the authority to arrest US Citizens. You don't have. I'm not obstructing. I'm standing right here in the hallway. I have to see the judicial warrant. By asking for a judicial warrant, you don't have the authority to arrest US Citizens.

[Tim Miller]

Asking for a judicial warrant.

[Sam Stein]

All right, what are your thoughts on this?

[Tim Miller]

It's, it's horrible. Like, it's, I, I and you know, again, like, so what had happened was later linked arms, I guess, with staff and with migrant who again showed up to court. Right. So, like, the thing that I. That always gets me in all these situations, well, number one is this masking issue, which I want to get to.

[Sam Stein]

Masking is crazy.

[Tim Miller]

It's crazy. So I want to get to that. But, but the other thing that gets before we do is like, there's this notion among the immigration hardliners and people in my social media, mentions on the right MAGA folks that are like, what you said earlier, what do you expect? What are you supposed to do? They broke the laws with them. It's like there are a million steps that are available to you between doing nothing and letting the country. Letting anyone into the country with no laws, having total open borders, John Lennon style, and, like, having masked thugs arrest and manhandle migrants in the country and elected officials that are advocating for them. Like, it's crazy. Like, there's no. There was no reason for this level of confrontation. Of confrontation. Right in the.

[Sam Stein]

Unless. Unless you want the confrontation.

[Tim Miller]

Unless you want the confrontation. Yeah. So there you go. Yeah, Unless you want the confrontation. So I guess that's my point. It's not about no one being above the law or whatever. Like, there are plenty of situations where people break the law and peace officers or cops, like, use their judgment on how to, like, handle it in that moment. And maybe you can be ticketed or be on probation or get an ankle monitor. Like, a gazillion things you can do besides, like, forcibly grabbing somebody and manhandling them and handcuffing them and sending masked agents into an immigration courthouse. Like, the fucking judge can handle this, like, in the court. Like, if the guy is supposed to be deported, you can get a letter that's like, hey, you're supposed to be deported in seven days, report to place X for your deportation. And if they don't show up to that, then you can fucking go to their house and handcuff them. Right. Like, there are a million options. You could do this in a humane way. They are doing this in the most escalatory way possible, the most fascistic way possible. And. And in a way that, like, it's not in the American tradition or spirit. And that takes me to the mask. But if you just talk about that.

[Sam Stein]

Well, let's talk about the masks, because that's what gets me. And I'm having trouble sort of articulating why. But. But I think it comes down to the absence of deliberate. Absence of accountability, right? Yes, exactly. Like, you have a right to know who is doing this to you, or at least you should have a right to know who is doing this to you. And there has to be some level of accountability for law enforcement at every level, because we don't want a system in which there is not, and nor does law enforcement want a system in which there is not. I mean, law enforcement wants to have a system where they have integrity and trust of the people they are policing. And when you mask someone up, it erodes that trust. And I find it very unsettling to watch as an elected official. Yes, he was impeding and deliberately so, the arrest of a migrant. But I find it very unsettling to watch a masked federal law enforcement official come and just manhandle him. We don't know who this person is.

[Tim Miller]

They didn't show him. He's shouting. That's one of the questions. He's like, who are you showing you. Yeah, yeah, who are you? That's arresting me. Show me your identification. Show me your badge. Like, if you're an ICE official. He's young. I'm an American citizen. Like, this is not in your jurisdiction.

[Sam Stein]

It doesn't. And doesn't Lander have the right to know who's arresting him? I mean, maybe not by the letter of the law, but it's certainly in a ethical sense, I feel like he does.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah. And this is like. And so we'll put this picture up on the screen. Like, his eyes are bulging out and like there's this evil guy in the evil Spider man costume behind him. And again, it's just imagery, but, like, it feels un American. Like it feels against, you know, the traditions. And being able to understand who your accuser is is get a. Get due process, get a court go in front of a judge. Like, it feels like something that's in a dystopia or in a fascist country. And like, even if that's not the intent, like, that is the aesthetic of it. And it seems to me that they are intentionally going for that aesthetic. And like, that just is not. Anyway, I find this picture to be really, really harrowing. And it would be harrowing and chilling if it was any person in this suit getting pulled away. But the fact that it's an elected official, they knew it was an elected.

[Sam Stein]

Talk about that. Talk about that. Because that's the other element here.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah. This is a report from the City, which is a local alternative news outlet in New York. But the reporter there said that they heard two agents, one agent say to another is the word they use. So I assume he's referring to ICE agents. But in the article it says one agent say to another, do you want to arrest the comptroller? Minutes before that encounter. So again, it's like they knew they made a choice to do it like this. Like, as opposed to the many other non escalatory ways you could have handled it. Like have sending one person up to the comptroller, casually Talking to a Mr. Lander, like, please, you know, I. Please, you know, remove your arms from this migrant. Like, we have this war here's the warrant for years to warrant to address this.

[Sam Stein]

Mr. Lander, come into a room with the migrant. The judge is there. We will talk and explain what's going on.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah, right.

[Sam Stein]

Done.

[Tim Miller]

Yeah. Or like, even in the first case scenario, it's like, I have this warrant. Here it is. This person is supposed to be under arrest. If you continue to resist, we're going to have to restrain you, you know, and like, warn him several, calmly, several times. There's like, no re like, again, the only reason to do it is, is that you want the confrontation.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah. Now, I, I, the reason I wanted you to highlight that the fact that they apparently reportedly knew who they were arresting or handcuffing, I should say, is because we're not even like a week off of Alex Padilla getting, you know, pinned down by federal officials, agents and handcuffed in federal building in Los Angeles. And their excuse there was, well, he didn't identify himself. We didn't know who this guy was. He was barging at us. He's getting in front of a law enforcement operation or in this case, disrupting Kristi Noem. And you know, in this case, they don't have that excuse, apparently, because they knew who this guy was. And this is also in the context of a mayor getting into confrontation at a New Jersey detention facility. A sitting member of Congress being charged for disrupting ICE affairs at the same New Jersey facility. We now have a fairly decent pattern of this happening with Democratic officials and the Trump administration. And I keep coming back to the fact we're like 10, 10% in. I mean, this is just starting and these deportation proceedings are just ramping up. This could get really ugly.

[Tim Miller]

Oh, right. It already is ugly, but, yeah, it could get even uglier. So there are two political things just worth mentioning. One is to this point, I mean, obviously our viewers already know that this was ridiculous, but we should just note that these guys all came in talking about depoliticizing the justice system. It was literally, that was what they. And so if you're talking to Republican senators or whatever, it's like I, these guys are all lied to. Like everybody, you know, that went into a confirmable position. You know, doj, dhs, all these offices, like, their big talking point was, oh, the justice system was so politicized because Donald Trump was indicted. Right. And so we are going to get rid of that. And, and like they've come in and in record time just immediately targeted their political opposition.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

So anyway, the other, the other political sub. Sub story here is, is just that lander's running for mayor. You mentioned that at the top.

[Sam Stein]

Of course.

[Richard Karn]

Yeah.

[Tim Miller]

And so I do think that some people on the right will be like, oh, this was a study.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, it's opportunity. I think it is opportunistic. It obviously is opportunistic.

[Tim Miller]

Sure.

[Sam Stein]

He did it. He wanted to create a moment. He got a moment. Yes.

[Tim Miller]

But again, they didn't have to handcuff him and haul them and put masks on.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah, yeah.

[Tim Miller]

It could have been a nothing burger moment. Again, if they had acted appropriately, could have gone up to him and said, here's a piece of paper. Your, your person here needs to come to this office. But like they million ways to handle this is not a violent criminal. This is not an. This is not an issue of urgent security that like they needed to worry about. Right. Like, like all this is just. It's totally unnecessary, thuggish cop behavior. So, yeah, I think he wanted to and it might help him. I do think that it's. Who knows? Like, this race right now looks like it's coming down to Cuomo and Mandani, who I interviewed today. If you can check out on the feed. And like there's concerns with both of them and for very different reasons across New Yorkers. And, and Lander and Mandani have a kind of a little packed thing where it's like, if you rank me, you rank me. The other one, maybe Lander is a little bit more accessible.

[Sam Stein]

This is Tim and I have this similar thing in the Bulwark office, by.

[Tim Miller]

The way, where we have a pact on the ranked choice voting within the office where it's like, if you're going to vote Sam first on the ballot, you put me second and vice versa for YouTube rankings. Yeah. So anyway, there is some implication there, I think outside chance. It really seems like Zoron and Cuomo are the most likely there, but anything can happen.

[Sam Stein]

Yeah. All right, well, we'll watch. Thanks, buddy.

[Richard Karn]

Hi, I'm Richard Karn and you may have seen me on TV talking about the world's number one expandable garden hose. Well, the brand new pocket hose Copperhead with pocket pivot is here and it's a total game changer. Old fashioned hoses get kinks and creases at the spigot, but the Copperhead's pocket pivot swivels 360 degrees for full water flow and freedom to water with ease all around your home. When you're all done, this rust proof anti burst hose shrinks back down to pocket size for effortless handling and tidy storage. Plus your super light and ultra durable Pocket hose Copperhead is backed with a 10 year warranty. What could be better than that? I'll tell you what an exciting radio exclusive offer just for you. For a limited time you can get a free pocket pivot and their 10 pattern sprayer with the purchase of any size Copperhead hose. Just text water to 64,000. That's water to 64,000 for your two free gifts with purchase W A T E R to 64,000.

[Pocket Hose Announcer]

By texting 64,000 you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message and data rates may apply. No purchase required. Terms apply. Available at pockethose.com terms hi, I'm Richard.

[Richard Karn]

Karn and you may have seen me on TV talking about the world's number one expandable garden hose. Well, the brand new Pocket Hose Copperhead with Pocket Pivot is here and it's a total game changer. Old fashioned hoses get kinks and creases at the spigot, but the Copperhead's pocket pivot swivels 360 degrees for full water flow and freedom to water with ease all around your home. When you're all done, this rust proof anti burst hose shrinks back down to pocket size for effortless handling and tidy storage. Plus your super light and ultra durable Pocket hose Copperhead is backed with a 10 year warranty. What could be better than that? I'll tell you what an exciting exclusive offer just for you for a limited time. You can get a free pocket pivot and their 10 pattern sprayer with the purchase of any size Copperhead hose. Just text water to 64,000. That's water to 64,000 for your two free gifts with purchase W A T E R to 64,000 by texting 64,000.

[Pocket Hose Announcer]

You agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message and data rates may apply. No purchase required. Terms apply. Available at pockethose.com terms.