Additional Coverage:
Newark Congresswoman LaMonica McIver has vehemently denied federal assault charges filed against her, stemming from a January incident at a local ICE detention facility. In her first public statement since the charges were filed, McIver called the accusations “absurd” and “ridiculous,” asserting she was simply carrying out her congressional oversight duties.
The charges arose from a confrontation between lawmakers and Homeland Security officers during an attempted visit to the facility. Tensions escalated when officers moved to arrest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was attempting to join the congressional delegation inside.
The situation quickly devolved into a physical altercation, with pushing and shouting between officers and lawmakers. Video footage appears to show McIver pushing past federal agents to reach the handcuffed Baraka.
While the trespassing charge against Mayor Baraka has been dropped, Acting US Attorney Alina Habba has accused McIver of assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement. McIver maintains her innocence, claiming she is being targeted for doing her job. She stated her legal team is in contact with the federal courts and that it’s “business as usual” for her.
The congresswoman placed blame for the incident squarely on ICE officers, suggesting they escalated the situation unnecessarily. She framed the charges against her as an example of political intimidation.
Reports indicate that the Justice Department had attempted to negotiate a plea deal with McIver. However, McIver contends that the deal would have required her to admit to wrongdoing, which she refused to do. She reiterated her commitment to her oversight responsibilities, stating she won’t be deterred from performing her duties.
Court documents detail the allegations against McIver, including claims that she physically interfered with officers attempting to arrest Mayor Baraka and that she struck an ICE officer with her forearms. These claims are supported by screenshots from officer body cameras. Federal law explicitly permits members of Congress to enter DHS facilities housing detainees without prior notice for oversight purposes.
It remains uncertain whether charges will be filed against the two other members of Congress present during the incident, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman and Robert Menendez Jr. McIver insists she would not have acted differently, emphasizing her right and duty to conduct oversight visits. She described the charges as political intimidation and vowed not to be deterred.