The Justice Department has announced charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver, a Democrat from New Jersey, for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers outside an immigration detention facility. This incident took place last week, and the charges were disclosed via social media by Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Notably, Habba previously served as a personal attorney for former President Trump.
According to court documents filed on Tuesday, McIver faces two counts of assaulting, resisting, and impeding an agent from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as well as a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations. These events unfolded during a confrontation outside the Delaney Hall detention facility located in Newark, New Jersey.
The charges against McIver have sparked outrage among Democrats, who are labeling them as politically motivated. Many within the party argue that this action represents an attempt by the Trump administration and the Justice Department to intimidate congressional members and stifle oversight efforts. In response to the situation, Habba stated that she attempted to resolve the matter with McIver prior to filing charges, but the congresswoman declined to cooperate.
"No one is above the law — politicians or otherwise," Habba emphasized. "It is the job of this office to uphold justice impartially, regardless of who you are. Now we will let the justice system work."
In a statement, McIver vehemently denied the charges, asserting that they are purely political in nature. "They mischaracterize and distort my actions, and are meant to criminalize and deter legislative oversight," she stated. McIver expressed her eagerness for the truth to be revealed in court.
The Delaney Hall facility is notable as the first new detention center to reopen during Trump's second term, following its closure in 2017. This reopening aligns with the Trump administration's efforts to create more detention space for migrants who have been arrested. Earlier this month, several local officials protested against the facility's reopening, indicating significant community concern.
McIver and her colleagues were reportedly at the facility to conduct lawful oversight regarding the treatment of detainees. She claimed that the visit was intended to be brief and peaceful, but tensions escalated when ICE agents initiated an arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Baraka faced a misdemeanor trespassing charge, but Habba confirmed in her statement that the case against him has since been dropped.
The decision by the Justice Department to file charges against McIver has garnered swift criticism from congressional Democrats and state officials in New Jersey. Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, along with his leadership team, described the charges as extreme and morally bankrupt, asserting that they lack any solid legal or factual basis.
