On May 9, 2025, a protest outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, escalated when Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), along with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez Jr., attempted to conduct an oversight visit.
As an ICE transport bus approached, the lawmakers and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka entered the facility through an open gate, leading to confrontations with federal agents. Mayor Baraka was arrested and charged with trespassing; however, the charge was later dismissed.
Following the incident, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba has officially announced that Rep. McIver has been charged under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 111(a)(1) for assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement officers. Habba stated that her office had attempted to resolve the matter without criminal charges, but McIver declined to cooperate. Habba emphasized that justice must be upheld impartially and that no one, including elected officials, is above the law.
Rep. McIver denied any aggressive conduct, asserting that ICE agents escalated the situation. She claimed that she was shoved and that Rep. Watson Coleman was manhandled during the incident. McIver emphasized that they were conducting official oversight duties and accused ICE of disrespecting their roles as elected officials.
🚨 Today my office has charged Congresswoman McIver with violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1) for assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement. pic.twitter.com/TV00uwRtKq
— US Attorney Habba (@USAttyHabba) May 19, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released body camera footage purportedly showing McIver pushing past agents. DHS officials accused the lawmakers of endangering law enforcement and detainees, describing the protest as a political stunt. They also noted that the facility houses individuals convicted of serious crimes, including murder and child rape.
Holy shit Rep McIver is an unhinged psychopath. Undercover ICE body cam shows her screeching at federal agents, & physically assaulting them.
“I touch whoever I want MF!… You will pay!”Then goes on TV and plays victim, like a typical dem.
PRISON.pic.twitter.com/SEBCko4G38
— Sara Rose 🇺🇸🌹 (@saras76) May 10, 2025
In response to the charges, House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), criticized the lawmakers’ actions and are considering further consequences, including the possibility of stripping them of committee assignments. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) introduced a resolution to remove McIver, Watson Coleman, and Menendez from their respective committees, arguing that their behavior undermines the rule of law.
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