NJ congresswoman faces court Tuesday over heated ICE facility clash
A New Jersey Congresswoman is set to appear in court today to face charges for allegedly obstructing Homeland Security agents during an altercation outside an immigration facility last month. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., is facing a three-count indictment for forcibly impeding federal officers during the attempted arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at the Delaney Hall immigration facility on May 9. McIver has stated that she will plead not guilty to the charges.
The incident occurred when McIver and two other members of Congress were conducting a congressional oversight visit that coincided with an immigration protest outside the facility. A clash ensued with federal agents when they attempted to arrest Mayor Baraka. According to a Department of Justice press release, Baraka was allowed into the facility’s secured area but refused to leave when instructed by federal agents. When officers tried to arrest him, McIver allegedly blocked them, physically assaulting two officers in the process.
The charges against McIver carry significant penalties, with each of the first two counts carrying a maximum eight-year prison sentence and the third count carrying up to one year. Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba, who previously represented President Donald Trump, is bringing the charges against McIver. Habba has accused McIver of assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement.
McIver has vehemently denied the charges, alleging that they are politically motivated attempts to silence her and her colleagues. She has compared the indictment to previous efforts by the Trump administration to intimidate political opponents. In a statement, McIver declared her intention to plead not guilty and expressed gratitude for the support of her community. She asserted that the facts of the case will demonstrate that she was simply doing her job.
Meanwhile, the Campaign for Accountability, a liberal watchdog group, has filed an ethics complaint against Habba, accusing her of ethical misconduct in prosecuting McIver and arresting Mayor Baraka. The complaint alleges that the charges were politically motivated and retaliatory in nature, targeting McIver and Baraka for their opposition to the Trump administration’s policies.
As the case unfolds, it is clear that tensions are high between McIver, federal agents, and prosecutors. The outcome of the court proceedings will have significant implications for the Congresswoman and the broader political landscape. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
