The Trump administration’s Justice Department has charged Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) with assaulting law enforcement during a visit to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, marking the first criminal charge brought against a sitting member of Congress during Trump’s second term.
Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a former Trump legal adviser, filed the charges Monday. While Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) faced and had his trespassing charge dropped, Habba said McIver’s actions “cannot be overlooked.”
McIver, who says she was performing lawful congressional oversight, called the charges “purely political.” Video footage shows a chaotic encounter with ICE officers but offers little clarity.
Democrats erupted in protest. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called the case “morally bankrupt,” while the Congressional Progressive Caucus vowed legal action. Lawmakers emphasized that congressional oversight of ICE facilities is legally protected and routine.
McIver, Reps. Rob Menendez and Bonnie Watson Coleman were touring the facility when the incident occurred. Republicans have largely remained silent on the prosecution.
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