Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) has been federally charged with assaulting and obstructing federal law enforcement officers following a heated confrontation at an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. The charges stem from a May 9 protest outside Delaney Hall, where McIver and other prominent Democrats were demonstrating against the facility’s use for detaining illegal migrants.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, McIver is accused of physically interfering with officers attempting to maintain order during the demonstration. The DOJ alleges that McIver became aggressive and ignored multiple lawful commands. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, who announced the charges, made it clear that the rule of law applies to everyone, stating, “No one is above the law—politician or otherwise.”
While charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was also present at the protest, were dropped, the DOJ is moving forward with prosecution against McIver. The decision has ignited a fierce political backlash, with Democrats accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing law enforcement to intimidate dissent.
Rep. McIver has denied any wrongdoing, calling the charges “politically motivated” and an attempt to chill congressional oversight of immigration enforcement. “The agents escalated an otherwise peaceful protest,” McIver said, adding that her actions were in defense of vulnerable detainees and constitutionally protected speech.
Her legal team echoed that sentiment, saying the prosecution is an overreach that undermines the constitutional role of lawmakers. “This is not just about a protest—it’s about the federal government targeting a sitting member of Congress for doing her job,” her attorney said in a statement.
The incident has reignited national debate over the limits of congressional oversight and the tactics used by ICE under the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement policies. While Republicans argue that McIver crossed a legal line by interfering with law enforcement, Democrats claim the charges are part of a broader effort to silence criticism and shield controversial immigration practices from scrutiny.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other top Democrats have come to McIver’s defense, calling the DOJ’s actions “an outrageous abuse of prosecutorial power” and vowing to hold federal officials accountable.
As the case heads to court, it’s likely to have far-reaching implications—not only for McIver’s political future, but for how far lawmakers can go in confronting executive agencies over the nation’s immigration policies.
The post Federal Charges Filed Against New Jersey Democrat After Clash With ICE Agents appeared first on Real News Now.
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