House Democrats call for DHS Secretary Noem to testify after staffer was handcuffed during disputed security check.

Democrats Denounce 'Aggressive' DHS Tactics in Nadler Office Raid

House Democrats are demanding answers after a member of Representative Jerry Nadler’s staff was handcuffed during a surprise entry by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at Nadler's Manhattan office. In a formal letter sent Tuesday, Representatives Jerry Nadler and Jamie Raskin urged House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan to condemn the incident and summon DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for testimony.

The lawmakers contested DHS's explanation that the event was a routine security check by Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers. Instead, they described the actions as aggressive and unjustified. “These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated,” the letter states, emphasizing the violation of legal and institutional norms.

The incident, captured on video, reportedly shows DHS agents demanding access to non-public areas and detaining a staff member without verifying safety conditions or seeking consent. Nadler and Raskin wrote, “The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries.”

Conflicting Accounts of Justification

DHS has maintained that the FPS officers were responding to reports of protesters potentially entering Nadler’s office during a demonstration outside a nearby immigration courthouse. The department said officers announced themselves, explained their intent, and only detained one individual after that person allegedly became verbally confrontational and blocked access.

“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,” a DHS spokesperson stated. “The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.”

The House Democrats, however, refuted that narrative. In their letter, they linked the episode to what they describe as a broader pattern of authoritarian tactics employed under President Donald Trump's leadership. “Sadly, this incident is part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic, and reckless tactics in communities across America,” they wrote, citing previous actions that allegedly targeted children, clergy, and students.

Representative Nadler issued a separate statement over the weekend accusing President Trump of “sowing chaos” and calling for the immediate end to such operations. “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,” Nadler and Raskin stated in their joint conclusion.

As of now, DHS has reiterated its position and stated it will respond to congressional inquiries through formal channels. Whether Chairman Jordan will honor the request to bring Secretary Noem before the Judiciary Committee remains to be seen.