Daniel Goldman

Education

Goldman earned a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School in 2005, where he served as a research assistant for legal scholar Michelle Alexander 1,2. His education preceded a distinguished career in federal law enforcement.

Federal prosecutor

Goldman spent a decade as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, prosecuting organized-crime and white-collar cases 2. He served as Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime Unit (2012 to 2014) and Senior Trial Counsel in the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force (2014 to 2017) 2. His prosecutorial record established his professional reputation.

Legal commentator and Brennan Center

After leaving the SDNY, Goldman worked as a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC and as a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice, building a public profile on constitutional and legal issues 1,3. This media presence preceded his impeachment role.

Lead impeachment counsel

In 2019, Goldman was hired as Senior Advisor and Director of Investigations for the House Intelligence Committee and became the lead counsel for the first impeachment inquiry of President Trump 2,4. He directed the investigation, led questioning during public hearings, oversaw the 300-page report, and served as lead counsel for the House Managers during the Senate trial 2. The role made him a nationally recognized figure.

Brief attorney general campaign

In November 2021, Goldman announced a campaign for the Democratic nomination for New York Attorney General, but withdrew when incumbent Letitia James ended her gubernatorial campaign and opted to run for re-election; Goldman endorsed James 4.

Elected to Congress

Goldman entered the crowded Democratic primary for New York's 10th Congressional District, a newly drawn seat covering Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn 4. In the 13-candidate August 2022 primary, he won with a 25.4-percent plurality, edging out progressive candidates including Yuh-Line Niou and Carlina Rivera 4,5. He won the general election and took office in January 2023. His election is detailed in the campaigns section of this series.

Congressional tenure

In Congress, Goldman served on the Homeland Security and Oversight committees, focusing on accountability, democracy, antisemitism, and consumer protection 6,7. He introduced legislation including the Jewish American Security Act and the Buy Now, Pay Later Consumer Protection Act 7. He was re-elected in 2024.

Primary loss to Brad Lander

On June 23, 2026, Goldman lost the Democratic primary for his seat to former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who ran with the backing of Mayor Zohran Mamdani and DSA-aligned progressives 4,8. The loss ended his congressional career after two terms. The race is detailed in the campaigns section of this series.

Summary of offices and roles held

* Assistant United States Attorney, SDNY: Approximately 2005 to 2017.

* Legal analyst, NBC News/MSNBC; fellow, Brennan Center for Justice.

* Lead counsel, first Trump impeachment inquiry: 2019.

* U.S. House of Representatives (NY-10): January 2023 to present (re-elected 2024; lost 2026 primary).