U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted on Federal Assault Charges
New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver faces federal charges for allegedly obstructing immigration officers at an ICE facility, potentially facing up to 17 years in prison.
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Overview
- Rep. LaMonica McIver was indicted on federal charges stemming from an incident at a New Jersey ICE detention center.
- The charges include three counts of assaulting and interfering with federal officers, with potential sentences totaling up to 17 years.
- McIver plans to plead not guilty, claiming the indictment is politically motivated and part of her oversight role as a Congress member.
- The incident also involved Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested during the same visit to the detention facility.
- McIver's legal team intends to challenge the allegations in court, asserting that members of Congress have oversight rights at such facilities.
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Analysis
Claim political intimidation while facing charges for interfering with law enforcement at an ICE facility.
"The indictment of Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver on federal assault charges reflects a contentious clash between lawmakers and law enforcement during a protest against conditions at a detention center."
CBS News"The congresswoman has denied the accusations, saying they are unjustified."
USA TODAY"The indictment charges the Democratic congresswoman with "forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers" at the facility, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said in a post on X."
ABC News"The indictment alleges that McIver interjected during Baraka’s arrest, yelling, “Hell no! Hell no!” and that she “attempted to thwart” the arrest by putting her arms around Baraka."
NBC News"The indictment is the latest development in a legal-political drama that has seen President Donald Trump’s administration take Democratic officials from New Jersey’s largest city to court, tapping into the president’s immigration crackdown and Democrats’ efforts to respond."
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FAQ
Rep. McIver is accused of forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers by allegedly striking two officers with her forearms and attempting to grab another while trying to prevent the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka during a protest at Delaney Hall on May 9.
Rep. McIver could face a combined maximum sentence of up to 17 years in prison for the three federal charges.
Rep. McIver calls the indictment a politically motivated act of intimidation, claiming it is retaliation for her congressional oversight. Her legal team maintains that members of Congress have the right to conduct oversight at detention facilities.
The incident occurred during a protest at Delaney Hall, an ICE detention facility in Newark. It involved a confrontation with immigration officers during an attempted arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was at the facility with Rep. McIver and other members of Congress on an oversight visit.
The preliminary hearing scheduled for June 10 was canceled, and an arraignment is expected within the next two weeks. Rep. McIver plans to plead not guilty and intends to challenge the allegations in court.
History
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