GET THE APP
Monday, October 27, 2025

Tag: assault
October 20, 2025
Crime

New Charges Filed Against Adult Suspects in Edward ‘Big Balls’ Coristine Assault.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Two suspects were charged with assaulting Ethan Levine before attacking former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward “Big Balls” Coristine on August 3.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Lawrence Cotton Powell (19), Anthony Taylor (18), Edward Coristine, Ethan Levine, and other unidentified suspects.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incidents occurred on Swan Street Northwest, Washington, DC, within minutes of each other on August 3,  with the charges announced on Monday, October 20.

💬KEY QUOTE: “So after a felony of attempted robbery, conviction after a violation of probation, after a second crime, after a second conviction, after no compliance with CSOSA, the judges say, do better, and they let him go. And guess what? Within 10 days, he’s at it again with Ethan Levine and Edward Coristine.” – U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro

🎯IMPACT: The case highlights repeated failures in the justice system to hold offenders accountable, leading to further crimes.

IN FULL

Two addidtional suspects in the August 3 attack on former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward “Big Balls” Coristine were charged on Monday for a second criminal assault that occured just minutes prior. Lawrence Cotton Powell, aged 19, and Anthony Taylor, aged 18, have been charged as adults for violently attacking and robbing Ethan Levine before joing a group of around 10 individuals who subsequenly assaulted Coristine as he protected a young woman from the group.

“Today, we are announcing that Lawrence Cotton Powell, who is 19 years of age, along with Anthony Taylor, who is 18 years of age, are now charged with assaulting [Ethan] Levine,”  U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced, continuing: “Then, after the robbery and assault of Ethan Levine, they walked in the direction of where another crime occurred. Within minutes, you have heard of this crime. Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old DOGE person who was working in the administration was walking a young woman to her car when he was approached in the 1400 block of Swan Street Northwest.”

“Approximately 10 suspects approached him, and as they did, he pushed the young woman into the car. And he was protecting her from the group, before he was then attacked by multiple suspects who then punched him repeatedly, causing significant injuries to him,” she added.

Pirro also noted that Powell has an extensive prior criminal history, criticizing lenient sentences issued by several judges for allowing him to dodge prison time. “So after a felony of attempted robbery, conviction after a violation of probation, after a second crime, after a second conviction, after no compliance with CSOSA, the judges say, do better, and they let him go. And guess what? Within 10 days, he’s at it again with Ethan Levine and Edward Coristine,” she revealed.

The National Pulse reported last week that Washington, D.C. Superior Court Judge Kendra Biggs sentenced two 15-year-olds to probation and no jail time for their roles in the attack on Coristine, claiming that her role is to “rehabilitate,” not punish.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
October 16, 2025
Crime

Biden Judge Sentences ‘Big Balls’ Attackers to Probation, Zero Jail Time.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Washington, D.C. judge sentenced two teens to probation after they attacked 19-year-old Edward Coristine, a former staffer for DOGE, avoiding jail time.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Edward Coristine, two 15-year-old attackers, Joe Biden-appointed Judge Kendra Biggs, and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred on August 3 near U Street in Washington, D.C.; sentencing took place on October 15 in D.C. Superior Court.

💬KEY QUOTE: “That’s terrible. The judge should be ashamed.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The decision has sparked criticism over leniency for juvenile offenders and raised fresh concerns about crime in the nation’s capital.

IN FULL

Washington, D.C. Superior Court judge, Kendra Biggs, sentenced two 15-year-olds to probation for their roles in an attack on Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer known as “Big Balls.” The Joe Biden appointee stated that her role is to “rehabilitate,” not punish, sparking backlash over leniency.

The male defendant pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and simple assault, while the female attacker admitted to one count of simple assault for attacking another person at a gas station with pepper spray. Prosecutors dropped other charges related to the attack on Coristine as part of a plea agreement. Both teens were part of a group allegedly causing chaos along U Street in the early hours of August 3, about one mile from the White House.

President Donald J. Trump blasted the lenient decision late Wednesday, saying, “That’s terrible. The judge should be ashamed.” U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro called the sentencing “shocking.”

During the attack, Coristine was beaten while his friend managed to escape by locking themselves in a car. In a social media post, Coristine condemned the “senseless crime” and noted that many of the attackers remain unprosecuted. “Think of your daughters and mothers,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding:  “The same group attacked people before and after us, breaking ribs and stomping heads.”

Judge Biggs ordered the teens to perform 90 hours of community service, avoid contact with each other, and refrain from entering cars without the owner’s permission.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
October 9, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Chicago Grand Jury Refuses to Indict Armed and Violent Anti-ICE Agitators.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) was forced to drop charges on Wednesday against Ray Collins, 31, and Jocelyn Robledo, 30, after a Chicago grand jury refused to indict the pair for assaulting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other federal agents at an area detention facility.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The DOJ, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), a Chicago grand jury, and defendants Ray Collins and Jocelyn Robledo.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The charges were dropped late Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: It remains unclear exactly why the grand jury failed to indict despite a preponderance of evidence against Collins and Robledo.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) was forced to drop charges on Wednesday against Ray Collins, 31, and Jocelyn Robledo, 30, after a Chicago grand jury refused to indict the pair for assaulting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other federal agents at an area detention facility. Both Collins and Robledo were carrying loaded weapons during their attack on federal law enforcement.

This is not the first instance of a grand jury declining to indict leftists over the assault of federal officers. In August, federal prosecutors failed to secure a felony assault indictment against Sean C. Dunn, who allegedly screamed at a federal agent and pelted him with a sandwich in Washington, D.C., before attempting to flee in an incident that was caught on camera.

Concerningly, there may be an emerging pattern of biased grand juries in heavily Democratic cities failing to hold violent leftists accountable for their crimes. In the instance of Collins and Robledo, it remains unclear why the grand jury failed to indict despite a preponderance of evidence against them.

Collins and Robledo “refused to retreat” during a late September violent riot outside ICE’s Broadview detention facility. As fist-fighting broke out between rioters and federal agents, Robledo allegedly began to push and shove officers, while Collins was accused of rushing a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) agent. Upon arrest, both were found to be carrying legally registered, loaded handguns.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
August 29, 2025
Crime
Religion

Data Reveals Sharp Rise in Attacks on American Churches.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A sharp rise in hostile incidents targeting American churches was recorded in 2024, with 436 documented cases, up from 315 in 2023 and nearly double the 230 in 2022, according to the Family Research Council.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Churches across 43 states were affected, with incidents ranging from vandalism to arson and gun-related threats. The Family Research Council compiled the data.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incidents occurred throughout 2024, with California seeing the highest number (40), followed by Pennsylvania (29), with Florida and New York tied at 25 each.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Family Research Council identified 415 hostile incidents in 2024, affecting a total of 383 churches.” – Family Research Council

🎯IMPACT: The data highlights ongoing challenges to places of worship in America, as societal shifts and political disagreements contribute to rising hostility.

IN FULL

In 2024, attacks on churches across the United States surged to unprecedented levels, with 436 incidents reported, marking a steep rise from 315 in 2023 and close to doubling the 230 recorded in 2022. The numbers, compiled by the Family Research Council (FRC), highlight a troubling pattern of growing hostility toward Christian places of worship.

These incidents spanned 43 states and included a wide range of offenses. Vandalism topped the list with 284 documented cases, including property damage, defacement, burglary, and ransacking. Arson followed with 55 instances, some confirmed and others under investigation. Gun-related incidents more than doubled from the previous year, rising to 28 from just 12 in 2023. There were also 14 bomb threats, mostly hoaxes, and 47 other violent acts, including assaults during church break-ins.

California reported the most attacks with 40, followed by Pennsylvania with 29. Florida and New York each recorded 25 incidents. The Family Research Council, which tracks these incidents, has itself been controversially labeled an anti-LGBT “hate group” by the far-left Southern Poverty Law Center.

While statistics for 2025 are not yet available, Catholic children were targeted in Minneapolis, Minnesota this week in a mass shooting perpetrated by a transgender gunman who decorated his weapons with Satanic pentagrams.

The growing hostility to Christians is not limited to the United States. Europe has seen a disturbing wave of similar attacks. In just three weeks during the late summer of 2024, nine churches across Germany, France, and the Netherlands were struck by arson attacks. Across France, nearly 1,000 anti-Christian hate crimes were recorded in 2023 alone, with that number rising further into 2024.

Germany reported a 105 percent increase in politically motivated crimes against Christians, while violent attacks and vandalism targeting churches have also become common in countries like Spain and Belgium.

Image by Farragutful.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
August 27, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
UK

‘Defending Myself’ — Tommy Robinson Will Not Be Charged for London Knockout.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: British anti-grooming gang activist Tommy Robinson says he will not be charged for knocking a man out at a London railway station last month.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tommy Robinson, British police, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Robinson announced the charges were dropped on August 27.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Breaking news, St Pancras No case to answer, after police investigated it has been proven I was the victim & I was within the law to defend myself. Why was I arrested at all?” – Tommy Robinson

🎯IMPACT: The dropping of the case allows Robinson to operate freely without bail conditions ahead of his major planned event next month.

IN FULL

British anti-grooming gang activist Tommy Robinson says he will not face criminal charges for knocking a man out at London’s St Pancras International railway station. Robinson was arrested on August 4 after returning to the United Kingdom from a short trip abroad. The arrest stemmed from an incident on July 28 involving a physical confrontation with a man who ended up being hospitalized with a head injury.

Video of the aftermath of the incident circulated online, showing Robinson standing over the man, seen lying prone on the ground. In the footage, Robinson is heard telling onlookers, “He come at me, bruv.” He also tells nearby witnesses, “You saw what happened… He come at me.”

Left-leaning journalists accused Robinson of fleeing the country after the incident, though his supporters argued he left for a pre-planned trip and returned voluntarily. Upon his return, Robinson was taken into custody at Luton Airport and questioned on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH), but later released on bail.

After reviewing surveillance camera footage, taking witness statements, and collecting other evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reportedly found no realistic prospect of conviction.

Robinson addressed the outcome in a video posted to social media, thanking his supporters and reiterating that he acted in self-defense. “Breaking news, St Pancras No case to answer, after police investigated it has been proven I was the victim & I was within the law to defend myself. Why was I arrested at all? You had the footage you knew I was the victim [Metropolitan Police],” he said.

The 41-year-old has long been a prominent figure in the United Kingdom for his outspoken activism against grooming gangs and the failure of the British authorities to prosecute primarily Muslim, Pakistani-heritage predators. He has himself been prosecuted numerous times, sometimes on highly dubious charges.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
August 5, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
News
UK

Tommy Robinson Arrested Over Alleged Railway Station Assault.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: British anti-grooming gang activist Tommy Robinson was arrested by police after a physical altercation at a train station in London.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tommy Robinson, British police, unidentified injured man.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The altercation took place on July 28, while Robinson’s arrest occurred several days later.

💬KEY QUOTE: “RELEASE THE FOOTAGE.” – Tommy Robinson on social media.

🎯IMPACT: The arrest could lead to potential charges and yet another possible prison sentence for Robsinson, who has been hounded by UK authorities for years.

IN FULL

British anti-grooming gang activist Tommy Robinson was arrested on the night of August 4 on suspicion of assaulting a man at St. Pancras train station in London. The 42-year-old was detained by police at Luton Airport, just outside London, as he returned from Portugal.

Although police generally do not confirm the identities of individuals who haven’t been formally charged, the British Transport Police said in a statement that a 42-year-old Bedfordshire man had been arrested in connection with a July 28 assault at St. Pancras. The police later confirmed the man had been released on bail until September 2.

Footage published by British media showed police officers meeting Robinson as he exited the plane and escorting him into a waiting van.

Authorities had sought Robinson since July 28, when a man was discovered unconscious at the central London train station. A video circulated widely on social media shows Robinson walking nearby, but it does not reveal how the man was injured. In the clip, Robinson is heard telling someone off-camera, “He come at me, bruv.”

On Tuesday morning, a post on Robinson’s X account (formerly Twitter) read, “RELEASE THE FOOTAGE,” and tagged London’s Metropolitan Police Service.

Following the incident, British Transport Police issued a statement saying a man had suffered serious injuries in an assault at the station and was taken to the hospital. They also said the suspect had boarded a flight to Tenerife in the early hours of July 29, and urged witnesses to come forward with any information.

The case comes just months after Robinson was released from prison after serving time behind bars for contempt of court relating to a case involving a young Syrian asylum seeker. Robinson received an 18-month sentence for releasing a documentary that defended his own allegations against the Syrian migrant, which were previously ruled as libelous by a British court.

Join Pulse+ to comment below and receive exclusive email analyses.

show less
show more
July 31, 2025
Corruption
World

Ukrainian Lawmakers Brawl in Parliament as Zelensky Reverses Crackdown on Anti-Corruption Agencies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ukrainian lawmakers passed a bill reinstating the independence of anti-corruption agencies after protests. Two politicians fought in the chamber during the session.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, European Union (EU) officials, and members of Ukraine’s parliament.

📍WHEN & WHERE: July 31, 2025, during a parliamentary session in Kiev, Ukraine.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This guarantees the normal, independent work of anti-corruption bodies and all law enforcement agencies in our country. It is the right decision.” – Volodymyr Zelensky

🎯IMPACT: The decision restores Ukraine’s anti-corruption safeguards, addresses public outcry, and aligns with EU governance rules.

IN FULL

Ukraine’s parliament voted on July 31 to reestablish the autonomy of its two key anti-corruption bodies, responding to widespread domestic and international criticism over a recent law placing them under the government’s control. The measure passed unanimously, with 331 lawmakers voting in favor, marking a significant political reversal for President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The parliamentary session was notable for being the first to be broadcast live since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and it reflected the gravity of the situation. Tensions ran high inside the chamber, culminating in a punch-up between two politicians. The cause of the scuffle remains uncertain.

President Zelensky addressed the nation following the vote, acknowledging the strong reaction, including protests in several cities, that the prior law had triggered. “It is very important that the state listens to public opinion,” he said. He emphasized that the new law secures the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), which was gutted by previous legislation.

The controversy began when Zelensky signed a law that transferred oversight of the anti-corruption bodies to the office of the prosecutor general, who is under Zelensky’s control. Critics, including European Union (EU) officials and human rights groups, saw this as a significant rollback of anti-corruption reforms. The backlash was swift: thousands of Ukrainians took to the streets in Kiev, protesting despite ongoing martial law, and efforts by Zelensky to claim the anti-corruption bodies had been infiltrated by Russia.

The independence of NABU and SAPO has long been regarded as critical to Ukraine’s aspirations for European Union membership and continued access to Western financial support. Both agencies have played pivotal roles in investigating high-level corruption, including cases involving senior government officials.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
June 20, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Assaults on ICE Agents Have Surged 500%.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are facing a 500 percent increase in assaults while conducting deportation enforcement operations, according to new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE agents, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, and Democrat politicians, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Recent weeks across the United States, including cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Every day the men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

🎯IMPACT: The assaults and anti-ICE rhetoric have coincided with pro-illegal immigrant riots and protests in several cities, raising concerns about the safety of ICE agents and the enforcement of immigration laws.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released new data revealing that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are facing a 500 percent increase in assaults as they attempt to carry out deportation enforcement operations across the United States. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “Today, the Department of Homeland Security released new data revealing that ICE law enforcement is now facing a 500 percent increase in assaults while carrying out enforcement operations.”

McLaughlin highlighted a recent case involving Roberto Carlos Munoz, a convicted child sex offender who entered the U.S. illegally. Munoz dragged an ICE agent 50 yards with his car while trying to evade arrest.

McLaughlin emphasized the daily risks ICE agents face, saying, “Every day the men and women of ICE put their lives on the line to protect and defend the lives of American citizens.” She also criticized Democrat politicians for their rhetoric, which she described as contributing to the surge in assaults. “Make no mistake, Democrat politicians like Hakeem Jeffries, Mayor Wu of Boston, Governor Tim Walz, and Mayor Bass of Los Angeles are contributing to the surge in assaults of our ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE,” McLaughlin added.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) have previously compared ICE to the Nazis, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) threatened to expose the identities of ICE agents. Jeffries recently stated, “Every single ICE agent who is engaged in this aggressive overreach and are trying to hide their identities from the American people will be unsuccessful in doing that … every single one of them, no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes will of course be identified.” This would expose ICE personnel and their families to possible reprisals from far-left extremists and terrorist and organized crime groups, such as the cartels.

In addition to the surge in assaults, protests against ICE have escalated, with some turning into riots in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled unanimously Thursday evening that President Donald J. Trump has the authority to federalize California’s National Guard to protect federal agents, including ICE personnel, and federal property.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
June 17, 2025
Immigration
Politics

ICE Just Arrested a Top NYC Official and Mayoral Candidate for Obstruction.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New York City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate Brad Lander was detained by federal agents after grabbing onto a group of alleged illegal immigrants being taken into ICE custody and demanding to see a warrant following an immigration hearing.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Brad Lander, ICE agents, and individuals attending an immigration hearing.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday morning, June 17, 2025, at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City.

💬KEY QUOTE: “While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad Lander was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE,” the Lander campaign confirmed in a statement.

🎯IMPACT: Lander is accused of interfering in a federal immigration enforcement action. However, his actions could help boost his political profile in a crowded Democratic primary field for New York City Mayor.

IN FULL

Brad Lander, the New York City Comptroller and a Democratic candidate for mayor, was detained by federal agents on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred after Lander demanded to see a warrant for individuals who had been detained following an immigration hearing and grabbed onto them.

Video of the incident, shared by Lander’s press secretary Chloe Bristow, shows the comptroller being handcuffed and taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Bristow confirmed that Lander remains held at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan.

According to Lander’s wife, Meg Barnette, the Democratic mayoral candidate was “escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza” when he was approached by federal immigration agents. Subsequently, Lander demands that the officers present a judicial warrant, appearing to hold onto the migrants to hinder their arrest.

Barnette noted that this is her husband’s third time this month escorting alleged illegal immigrants after immigration court hearings in Lower Manhattan.

“You have no authority to arrest U.S. citizens,” the Democrat can be heard shouting in one video of the incident, demanding: “Where are you taking me and with what authority?”

“I’m not obstructing, I’m standing right here in the hallway,” Lander claims in another video as he’s being handcuffed and led to an elevator, adding: “I asked to see the judicial warrant. You don’t have the authority to arrest U.S. citizens asking for a judicial warrant.”

Last month, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and several Democratic members of Congress were detained after allegedly assaulting ICE officials at the Delaney Hall detention facility in New Jersey. The incident resulted in a federal grand jury indicting Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) on three federal charges for interfering with ICE agents.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
May 21, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Far-Left Democrat Set for Court Debut After Assaulting ICE Agents.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) faces charges of assaulting two federal agents during a visit to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. McIver, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), Reps. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), ICE agents, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents.

📍 Where & When: Delaney Hall ICE detention facility, Newark, NJ, on May 9, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: McIver argues, “If I’m going to be charged with a crime for doing my job, it just speaks to where we’re headed in this country.”

⚠️ Impact: The incident poses a serious problem for Democrats as their more progressive and liberal wings work to portray the arrest as overreach by the Trump administration. However, more moderate and centrist party members, and voters at large, see the assault as an attack on law enforcement, and the Democratic Party’s continued defense of illegal immigrants over American citizens as distasteful.

IN FULL:

Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) is set to appear virtually before a federal magistrate judge on Wednesday following charges of assaulting two federal agents at an illegal immigrant detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, earlier this month. The Democrat lawmaker, alongside fellow New Jersey Reps. Robert Menendez and Bonnie Watson Coleman, was reportedly conducting oversight duties at the Delaney Hall U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on May 9. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was also present and was also arrested during the incident, though charges against him were later dismissed.

According to prosecutors, McIver allegedly used her forearm to strike a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent and attempted to restrain him. She is also accused of pushing and striking an ICE officer. Bodycam footage reportedly captured the events, which the Justice Department (DOJ) claims show McIver creating a “human shield” to block agents from detaining Baraka after he was warned to leave the property.

McIver has denied the allegations, calling them “purely political.” In a public statement, she said, “Earlier this month, I joined my colleagues to inspect the treatment of ICE detainees… We were fulfilling our lawful oversight responsibilities… ICE agents created an unnecessary and unsafe confrontation when they chose to arrest Mayor Baraka.”

During a CNN interview, McIver criticized federal agents, stating, “They caused the confrontation… We were there to do our jobs.” She added, “If I’m going to be charged with a crime for doing my job, it just speaks to where we’re headed in this country.”

The court approved McIver’s request to appear virtually for her initial hearing, where her rights and charges will be read, and a bail package determined.

Witness accounts suggest tensions escalated when Baraka attempted to join the lawmakers inside the facility and was denied access by federal officials. An argument ensued, leading to his arrest.

The case has drawn criticism from figures like former Border Czar Tom Homan, who argued McIver “broke the law” and should face accountability. Prosecutors maintain that McIver’s actions interfered with federal law enforcement duties, while the Congresswoman insists she was fulfilling her official responsibilities.

WATCH:

show less

PULSE POINTS:

show more