Federal prosecutors have brought charges against a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, accusing him of misleading investigators about what happened before a Venezuelan man was shot in Minneapolis earlier this year, News Media has learned.

The Justice Department charged ICE agent Christian Castro with making false statements in connection with the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, who was struck in the leg. A federal grand jury in Minnesota indicted Castro on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the case.

Prosecutors allege Castro fired through the front door of a Minneapolis residence, injuring Sosa-Celis, and later gave investigators a false account of the moments leading up to the shooting. The case unfolded during the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement push in Minnesota.

What followed was at least one night of unrest in Minneapolis.

The charges came after Castro was released from a Texas jail last week, following Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s refusal to sign an extradition warrant to hand him over to Minnesota authorities.

Under Texas law and barring extradition, Castro must be released after 90 days of detention. Last month, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed an unsuccessful request for a temporary restraining order in an effort to block Castro’s release or to order his return to Minnesota, The Associated Press reported.

Castro is charged separately in that state with assault and false reporting of a crime related to the same shooting.

Federal authorities initially accused Sosa-Celis and another man of beating an officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel during a confrontation.

However, the charges were dropped after video evidence showed the officers may have lied about the encounter, prompting an investigation.

On Wednesday, ProPublica reported that federal prosecutors were barred by officials in Washington from pursuing civil rights charges against Castro.

News Media has reached out to ICE, the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department for comment.

The Issue: Antisemitic attacks on Brad Lander at a rally outside of MSG, despite his anti-Israel stances.

Brad Lander is unlikely to take the right lesson from this episode (“Lander pandered,” Isaac Schorr, Sept. 1).

More likely, he’ll convince himself that the people who insulted and belittled him are not truly representative of the political crowd he has worked so hard to court.

As he heads to Congress, even the smallest measure of Jewish pride should push him to vote alongside moderate, pro-Israel Democrats — and to send a clear message to Mayor Mamdani’s wing of the party that he is not theirs to control. I’m not expecting it.

David Rabinovitz

Brooklyn

Lander has embraced Mamdani’s hatred of the Jewish people of Israel, hoping to endear himself to the left.

But, no matter how much he compares Israelis to Nazis, the far left is waiting for him to sound identical to Adolf Hitler, Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler, before they cease abusing him.

Since Lander is a Jew who does not yet devote 24 hours a day to supporting the genocide of Israelis, that day may never come.

Richard Sherman

Margate, Fla.

Throughout history, Jews have tried to ingratiate themselves amongst their home country’s leadership and institutions by criticizing Jewish tradition and Israel.

Lander and Dan Goodman have failed to realize that history repeats itself.

Anti-Zionism is merely another way to express antisemitism, which is growing rapidly. The two of them should open their eyes to reality.

S.P. Hersh

Lawrence

Lander is a poor excuse for a man and shouldn’t be in Congress. During the primary election, he sold out Israel and America for the sake of being popular. Not surprising: How could he possibly respect either country when he doesn’t even respect himself?

Lander is not a Jew, he’s a traitor.

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Nicholas Maffei

Yonkers

Brad Lander, a Jew, learned first-hand that Jew-haters won’t love you even if your political beliefs align with theirs.

These are the same goons who Lander pandered to for votes when he stood with them in condemning Israel and cheering Hamas.

Hopefully, he will remember the hate in their faces when he joins Congress and is called upon to support Israel’s existence.

Mel Young

West Dover, Vt.

The Issue: A House resolution against “socialism in all its forms” passing in a 220-192 vote.

The House just voted 220-192 denouncing “socialism in all its forms.” Really, all its forms (“No conDemn of socialism,” Sept. 2)?

Ponder this: Our healthcare system is in complete disarray and totally unsustainable. According to the Commonwealth Fund, when comparing statistics among the 10 wealthiest countries, we rank dead last in access, affordability and outcomes.

And yet, we spend 17% of our GDP on health care, which is more than all our economic competitors. How is that even possible? Our current system is failing, and something must be done.

Conservatives get bent out of shape by the national debt. However, when it comes to the quality of human lives, they are silent. It’s reprehensible.

At least Democratic Socialists promote “Medicare for all” as an alternative. What are Republicans offering? As usual, absolutely nothing.

Wes Dickson

Orland Park, Ill.

A resolution denouncing socialism passed in Congress with 212 GOP votes for yes, 192 Dem votes for no and only eight Dem votes for yes. This should tell every American that the Democratic Party is no longer. It’s officially become the Socialist Party.

Robert Neglia

The Bronx

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@nypost.com. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.

The Tunnel to Towers Steel Across America tour arrived at Boston’s Fenway Park on Wednesday night, offering Red Sox fans a close look at a preserved piece of World Trade Center history.

The 21-foot steel beam, recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center, has been traveling across the United States since May. Its cross-country journey is expected to conclude in New York City shortly after Sept. 11.

“It brings up a lot of memories, and, honestly, reading that and talking to the firemen over there, it can give me chills. It gives me chills,” Fenway vendor David Littlefield said after seeing the display.

“It was gut-wrenching, heartbreaking,” Littlefield said, noting that his wife lost a roommate in the Sept. 11 attacks.

“It hits home. I worked for American Airlines for 30 years, and I … worked Flight 11 and Flight 77 many times,” another woman at the game said.

The display is now being featured at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial on Thursday.

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The 16,900-pound beam will then head to the nation’s capital, where it will be featured at a private event on Friday. It will then head to New York City for another private event in Brooklyn on Sept. 11, before a final appearance at the New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys game at MetLife Stadium Sept. 13.

The beam visited the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Monday, where the superintendent, Lt. Gen. James B. Bartholomees III, said the piece of steel connects the courage shown by first responders on 9/11 with the Americans who answered the call to serve in the years that followed.

“As we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this piece of steel reminds us of the courage of first responders like Stephen Siller and the countless Americans who answered the call in the years that followed, including generations of West Point graduates,” Bartholomees said. “Today, young men and women continue that legacy of service, guided by duty, honor country.”

The ceremony brought together cadets, faculty, staff and guests and opened with a color guard and pipe and drum procession by members of the NYPD, FDNY and Port Authority Police Department. The program also included the national anthem, an invocation and blessing of the steel and a moment of reflection accompanied by “Amazing Grace.”

Democrats are entering the 2026 midterm cycle with an 8-point advantage over Republicans on the generic congressional ballot, as voter frustration over stubborn living costs and President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran war appears to be shaping the political landscape.

An exclusive August Daily Mail/JL Partners poll found that 50 percent of likely voters said they would support the Democratic candidate for Congress if the election were held now, while 42 percent said they would choose the Republican.

Only seven percent of voters remain undecided.

To win back control of the House, Democrats would need to net five Republican-held seats. In the Senate, they would need to pick up four seats to seize the majority.

While enthusiasm among voters in both parties is roughly even, concerns about the economy stand out as the most serious warning sign for Republicans.

Thirty-seven percent of voters say they are financially worse off than a year ago, and higher prices are forcing Americans to cut back.

Eating out has taken the biggest hit, with 51 percent reducing spending at restaurants. Another 42 percent have cut back on groceries, a third on clothing, and more than a quarter say they are driving less.

Voters are holding Trump responsible. Sixty-three percent say he is not doing enough to bring down the cost of living, against just 24 percent who say he is. 

Asked which party they trust to lower household costs, the Democrats own a 9-point advantage.

The economic pressure comes as Americans continue to confront high everyday expenses, making affordability likely to remain a central issue as the midterms approach.

Voters are also being asked to weigh another major issue playing on the economic hardships: Trump’s military campaign against Iran.

The survey finds that 49 percent believe launching military action against Iran was the wrong thing to do, compared with 30 percent who say it was the right decision.

Twenty-one percent are unsure.

Republicans are far more supportive, with 65 percent saying the military action was the right thing to do.

The conflict is also the issue Americans most frequently identify as Trump’s biggest blunder. Offered a list of options, 18 percent select the war with Iran, while 11 percent point to his handling of the cost of living.

The findings come as the conflict has once again erupted into open confrontation.

The US launched fresh strikes against Iranian targets on Tuesday after Washington accused Tehran of attacking commercial shipping around the Strait of Hormuz and firing eight missiles toward US forces in Jordan.

The strikes followed a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran that effectively broke down, while two Saudi oil tankers were also struck by projectiles as they left the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night.

Trump warned Tehran on Tuesday that any retaliation would bring an even more forceful American response.

The poll suggests many Americans remain unconvinced that the military campaign is succeeding.

Just 25 percent say Trump and the United States are currently winning the war, compared with 17 percent who believe Iran is winning and four percent who say Israel is. The largest group, 35 percent, says neither side is winning, while another 20 percent are unsure.

Republicans are considerably more confident in Trump’s handling of the conflict. Fifty-two percent believe Trump and the US are winning, compared with just seven percent who say Iran is winning.

Among Democrats, only 11 percent believe Trump and the US are winning, while 25 percent say Iran is winning. Forty-four percent believe neither side is winning.

There is similarly deep uncertainty over who controls the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Overall, 22 percent of Americans believe the United States is in control, compared with 25 percent who say Iran is. Thirty-two percent believe neither side is fully in control, while 21 percent are unsure.

The partisan divide is stark.

Thirty-five percent of Democrats believe Iran controls the strait, compared with just 13 percent who say the United States does. Among Republicans, 42 percent believe the US is in control, while only 14 percent say Iran is.

Americans also appear reluctant to accept greater US military involvement if it comes with higher costs at home.

Forty-six percent say they would rather pay $5 for gasoline than see the United States send more troops to Iran. Just 22 percent would choose sending additional troops, while 32 percent are unsure.

Republicans are almost evenly split, with 38 percent choosing higher gas prices and 39 percent preferring more troops.

The polling presents a potentially difficult landscape for Republicans heading into November, with Democrats holding an eight-point advantage on the congressional ballot among likely voters.

Independents are the warning sign. Just 42 percent say they are very enthusiastic about voting in the midterms, more than 20 points below both Republicans and Democrats, and almost a quarter remain undecided on which party to back — leaving a bloc of persuadable voters still in play.

At the same time, concerns over household costs and the increasingly volatile conflict with Iran give voters two major issues on which to judge the Trump administration.

With months still to go before the midterms, those numbers could change. 

But for now, Democrats are entering the campaign with the stronger position — while Republicans face growing pressure to convince voters they are better off and that the administration’s approach to Iran is working.

Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned Republican rival Bruce Blakeman as “reprehensible” after he attacked her for wearing a head scarf during a visit to a mosque.

The New York governor drew criticism from conservatives after photos resurfaced showing her with a head covering at a mosque event last year. Blakeman escalated the backlash in a social media post, referring to her as “hijab Hochul.”

Blakeman, the elected Nassau County executive, called the traditional religious headwear a “costume” and accused the Democrat of “political pandering” less than “two weeks before the 25th anniversary of 9/11.”

“To try and divide New Yorkers based on their religion — I think it’s reprehensible — he has taken this to a new level and I think that voters will reject that,” Hochul told reporters Wednesday after an unrelated event in Blakeman’s home territory on Long Island.

Women commonly wear head coverings, including scarves, when visiting or attending services at mosques. Former first ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush, along with first daughter Ivanka Trump, have also covered their heads during meetings with Islamic leaders.

“It’s a sign of respect to the religion of the people, and if he has a problem with that, it says a lot more about him than it does anybody else,” Hochul said further clapping back at Blakeman.

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“I reject anyone who tries to use this as another way to separate us as New Yorkers during a time when we should be coming together and supporting each other.”

Blakeman himself wore a head covering at a Sikh event in Nassau County last year, according to photos posted to his own social media account at the time.

Blakeman doubled down on his criticism in a statement to The Post referencing his nephew who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.

“Kathy Hochul don’t lecture me about 9/11 and unity. My nephew Tommy was murdered that day giving first aid to a severely burned woman. He was a state employee and a hero,” he railed.

“You have aligned yourself with Zohran Mamdani who won’t speak against “Global Intifada” which was the goal of his murderers who killed him and thousands of New Yorkers,” he said. This November New Yorkers will unify around me to save this state.

President Trump meanwhile weighed in on the pics in a Tuesday Truth Social post.

“Congestion Pricing in Manhattan is hurting her with everybody, but especially the people for whom she wears the hijab. The whole thing is CRAZY!” Trump said.

Jewish communities throughout the United States are strengthening security protocols and sharpening emergency response plans as Rosh Hashanah and the High Holidays approach.

Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency medical service, has joined with the U.S.-based Community Security Service to train synagogue security volunteers in communities nationwide. Senior paramedic Aryeh Myers told News Media that many Jewish Americans are increasingly uneasy amid a reported rise in antisemitic incidents.

“There is this heightened sense of concern, of worry that these attacks are now a question of when rather than if,” Myers said in an interview.

Myers has conducted First 7 Minutes trainings in the United States and abroad for Jewish, Christian and secular organizations. The program focuses on preparing volunteers to take critical action in the immediate aftermath of an attack, before police, firefighters or emergency medical teams arrive.

His trainings focus on first aid, how to communicate most effectively with first responders and how best to assist them once they do arrive.

“Our expertise is in response to mass casualty events…. We respond on the national level to everything from delivering babies, to terror attacks to war situations,” Myers said.

“The advantage that Magen David Adom brings is unfortunately having that level of experience, that we have seen multiple mass casualty attacks and multi-casualty attacks and have learned from those,” he added.

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Jewish communities across the globe have faced increasing levels of antisemitism in the years since the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.

Many U.S. universities became hotbeds for anti-Israel and antisemitic attacks amid Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

A new report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that Jewish teachers have also faced rampant antisemitism from teachers unions.

The organization surveyed 307 Jewish members of teachers unions, many of whom admitted to censoring themselves and being disappointed with how unions handled concerns about antisemitism.

“What we found is not the work of a few bad actors. It is a structural and cultural failure,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. “Jewish educators deserve to feel safe and protected in their union spaces. And instead of that, they are self-censoring and fearing backlash for raising concerns.”

Sydney Altfield, CEO of Teach Coalition, an organization that advocates for Jewish schools, said the report was particularly concerning because teachers unions were meant to represent and protect all educators.

“What strikes me is that these unions are supposed to be homes for everyone, and [they’re] not being that,” Altfield told News Media.

One of the key findings of the report was the high rate at which Jewish educators were self-censoring out of fear of retaliation. According to the ADL, 70% of respondents “somewhat or strongly agreed” that bringing up concerns about how Jews were treated in union spaces “could lead to reputational or professional consequences.”