Adriano Espaillat: Public Appearances and Media
COVID-19 Testing Positive After Capitol Breach
In January 2021, Espaillat became one of several members of Congress to test positive for COVID-19 in the days following the January 6 Capitol siege . He was the seventh lawmaker to report a positive test since the insurrection, during which members were moved to secure locations where some Republican colleagues refused to wear masks . Espaillat, who was 66 at the time and had received his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine the previous week, quarantined at home and continued his duties remotely . He noted that the situation demonstrated the indiscriminate nature of the virus and urged adherence to public health guidelines . He tested positive for COVID-19 a second time approximately 12 months later, in January 2022, noting that the country was not yet fully out of the woods with the pandemic .
Congressional Commencement Address
In January 2020, Queens College named Espaillat as the main speaker for its 96th commencement ceremony . Interim President William Tramontano presented Espaillat with the President's Medal, the college's highest administrative award . The college's Political Science Department had previously honored him in 2017 with a Distinguished Alumnus Award . In his acceptance, Espaillat described his journey from an undocumented immigrant who entered through the Percy E. Sutton SEEK Program to a member of Congress as a testament to the value of equal access to higher education .
Anti-Hate Rally in Washington Heights
Espaillat organized a rally in his district titled Uptown Standing Together Against Racism and Xenophobia in response to an action by the white supremacist group Identity Evropa . The family-friendly event was attended by more than 300 people, including children and young people, and featured appearances by then-New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and state Assembly member Carmen de la Rosa . Espaillat described the event as being about unity and pushing back against hate .
Detention Center Inspection Attempts
In June 2025, Espaillat and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez attempted to enter a federal detention center on the 10th floor of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Manhattan to inspect conditions for people detained in immigration raids . They were initially barred from entering by ICE officials . Espaillat later gained access and reported that the facility appeared clean, though he expressed suspicion that it had been prepared in advance of his visit . The incident drew significant media coverage as part of broader congressional scrutiny of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration .
Spectrum News NY1 Primary Debate
Espaillat participated in a debate on Spectrum News NY1 ahead of the June 2026 Democratic primary, where he defended his record on affordable housing and immigrant rights against challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier . He told the debate audience that he was running on his record of accomplishment and emphasized the results he had delivered for the community . The debate highlighted sharp differences between the candidates on Israel policy, with Espaillat supporting a two-state solution and Avila Chevalier accusing him of complicity in what she described as genocide .
White House Ghost Gun Event
In April 2022, Espaillat met with President Biden and administration officials at the White House for the announcement of federal action to crack down on ghost guns 20. The event highlighted Espaillat's yearslong legislative effort to regulate untraceable firearms, and he expressed pride that the administration had completed a rule defining ghost guns as firearms 21.
Impeachment Proceedings
During the second impeachment proceedings against President Trump in January 2021, Espaillat spoke on the House floor about the events of January 6, describing the insurrection as an attack directed by the president and calling Trump unfit to hold office . He voted for impeachment in December 2019 during the first impeachment proceedings as well .
Annual Black History Month Celebration
Espaillat has hosted an annual Black History Month celebration at the Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park in his district, featuring musical performances and cultural programming 24. The events, held in collaboration with the East Harlem Repertory Theatre, reflect his efforts to build bridges between the Dominican and African American communities in his district 25.
Congressional Resolution for Grandassa Models
In 2026, Espaillat introduced a congressional resolution honoring the lasting impact of the Grandassa Models, a group of trailblazing runway pioneers who amplified the Black is Beautiful message throughout the fashion industry, timed to Women's History Month 26.
Media Coverage of Primary Loss
Espaillat's defeat in the June 2026 primary attracted wide national media attention. Outlets including NBC News, CBS News, The Hill, Axios, Politico, The Intercept, Gothamist, and The City Reporter covered the race extensively, framing it as a reflection of an intra-Democratic Party struggle between establishment figures and a rising democratic socialist movement powered by Mayor Zohran Mamdani . Political analysts described the result as a political earthquake for both New York City politics and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus .