Reporter Expresses Concern over New York City’s ‘War Zone’ Appearance Amid Conflicts with Federal Agents

Clashes Erupt in Manhattan Amid ICE Operations

On Tuesday, NewsNation correspondent Jessica Cartaglia described a scene in Manhattan that felt eerily like a “war zone” as tensions rose between alleged instigators and federal agents.

According to reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted an operation in the Canal Street area, detaining at least one person. Afterward, chaos ensued on Lafayette Street, where a crowd gathered and eventually headed toward 26 Federal Plaza, the location of the New York City Immigration Courthouse and an ICE detention facility.

“But it’s Manhattan in 2025, and this really feels like a war zone. People are covering their faces and recording everything on their phones. Honestly, it’s hard to watch,” Kartaglia noted, emphasizing the overwhelming atmosphere.

“This city has so many hardworking people, and it’s incredibly divisive. Regardless of your stance, it’s just a tough situation all around,” she added.

During her coverage, Kartaglia observed a man being arrested by federal agents. Another correspondent running towards the scene reported seeing this man earlier, pushing against ICE agents and police, with some bystanders defending him.

“Okay, here he is again. We’re watching him; he’s been pushing these agents and officers,” Kartaglia explained. “There were also some women involved, pushing the officers. We’re still trying to get clarity on how many were actually arrested. They seem to be illegal immigrants, not just protesters,” she continued.

“At this point, it appears protesters are the ones getting arrested,” she added. “There’s ongoing debate about whether groups like this are common in situations like this. It’s reminiscent of previous incidents, whether they’re protesters or activists. One woman even threw herself in front of a car; we thought she might have been hit.”

Kartaglia remarked that the arrested individual had his face fully covered, prompting federal officials to address that. As events unfolded, she spoke with two women who claimed they were “thrown” to the ground without cause, likely referring to the woman who had previously jumped in front of the vehicle.

“People are upset with us for covering this. There’s a great deal of anger in the air. It’s striking to see how emotional folks are about this situation,” Kartaglia acknowledged.

The protests erupted just days after millions marched in major U.S. cities, expressing opposition to what they termed “Authoritarianism” and the policies of former President Trump, particularly regarding ICE. Since Trump resumed aggressive immigration enforcement after taking office in January, Democratic opposition to the agency has sharpened.

Previously, large anti-ICE protests and riots had been reported in Los Angeles, a city also led by Democrats, where federal buildings faced significant vandalism and other forms of unrest.