PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: A federal grand jury indicted Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) on three federal charges for allegedly interfering with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. LaMonica McIver, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), ICE agents, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez Jr. (D-NJ).
📍 Where & When: The incident took place at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, 2025. McIver was indicted on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve,” said U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
⚠️ Impact: McIver faces up to 17 years in federal prison if convicted.
IN FULL:
A federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) for allegedly obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during an incident at a detention center in Newark, New Jersey, last month.
The indictment, issued Tuesday in Newark, accuses McIver of forcibly interfering with ICE agents on May 9 as they attempted to arrest an illegal immigrant outside Delaney Hall detention center. The charges include allegations that McIver physically shoved and resisted federal officers and impeded their efforts.
🚨WATCH: US Congresswoman, LaMonica McIver (wearing a red blazer), storms the gate of Delaney Hall Detention Center ASSAULTING an ICE agent. pic.twitter.com/4Q1deds1tl
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 10, 2025
The incident occurred during what was described as a congressional oversight visit by McIver, alongside fellow Democrat New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Robert Menendez Jr. Their visit coincided with a demonstration by open-borders activists outside the facility. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the situation escalated when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) entered a restricted area of the detention center without authorization.
The DOJ states Baraka was warned multiple times to leave the secured area, but refused. When officers attempted to arrest him, McIver and others reportedly intervened, surrounding the mayor and physically preventing officers from applying handcuffs. The indictment further alleges McIver struck and restrained federal officers during their second attempt to arrest Baraka after he was escorted outside.
“As I have stated in the past, it is my Constitutional obligation as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer for New Jersey to ensure that our federal partners are protected when executing their duties,” U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said. She added, “While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve.”
If convicted on all charges, McIver could face up to 17 years in federal prison.
.@RepLaMonica McIver can now even more clearly be seen in this parallel overhead/bodycam video fiercely punching and pushing DHS.
She should’ve apologized, settled, and moved on.
Instead, she’s now being exposed as a thug. pic.twitter.com/HkQNeY8Tzr
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) May 22, 2025