Rep. LaMonica McIver Of NJ Charged With Assault After Visit To ICE Facility
1 week ago
Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey has been charged with assaulting and interfering with law enforcement during a visit to the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark.
McIver and fellow Democrats Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez were present when ICE agents arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, prompting a confrontation. McIver denies any wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated and part of an effort to deter congressional oversight. Body camera footage reportedly shows a crowded, chaotic scene but no clear assault by lawmakers, and House Democratic leaders say the charges are baseless.
The Trump-aligned Justice Department defended the move, while the ACLU accused it of weaponizing the legal system against political opponents.
A trespassing charge against Baraka, a gubernatorial candidate, has been dropped “for the sake of moving forward,” according to prosecutors.
McIver and fellow Democrats Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez were present when ICE agents arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, prompting a confrontation. McIver denies any wrongdoing, calling the charges politically motivated and part of an effort to deter congressional oversight. Body camera footage reportedly shows a crowded, chaotic scene but no clear assault by lawmakers, and House Democratic leaders say the charges are baseless.
The Trump-aligned Justice Department defended the move, while the ACLU accused it of weaponizing the legal system against political opponents.
A trespassing charge against Baraka, a gubernatorial candidate, has been dropped “for the sake of moving forward,” according to prosecutors.
