‘Authoritarian playbook’: DHS accuses critics of assaulting officers when videos say otherwise

Civil rights advocates and scholars say the US government's claims are troubling indicators of rising authoritarianism

After New York City comptroller Brad Lander this week became the latest prominent Democrat to be arrested while monitoring and protesting US immigration authorities, the Trump administration trotted out a familiar refrain to justify his detention.

The mayoral candidate had assaulted" law enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asserted, warning if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences".