Lander Cleared in Elevator Obstruction Case Tied to Immigration Protest at 26 Federal Plaza

A federal judge acquitted former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander of misdemeanor obstruction for blocking an elevator outside an immigrant detention facility at 26 Federal Plaza, ruling that the evidence did not prove intentional obstruction. Lander argued he was there to observe conditions and would have moved if asked, a stance that intersected with his primary campaign against Rep. Dan Goldman as immigration policy remained a flashpoint. Goldman dismissed the case as performative, while Lander framed his actions as part of a broader advocacy effort around immigration and accountability for ICE.