A former Obama-era National Security Council official, Stuart Seldowitz, 64, has been arrested on preliminary charges of hate crime/stalking and harassment.
Videos surfaced on social media showing Seldowitz using Islamophobic language against a New York City food cart vendor.
The incidents occurred amid a reported increase in anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias incidents in the US.
Seldowitz confirmed his identity in the videos but claimed they only show one side of the story, stating that the vendor allegedly expressed support for Hamas.
Gotham Government Relations, a lobbying group previously affiliated with Seldowitz, has severed ties, condemning his actions as “vile” and “racist.”
The vendor reported ongoing harassment since November 8, prompting advocacy groups and a city councilmember to intervene.
