A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver for allegedly assaulting legislation enforcement officers exterior of an immigration detention facility final month, officers introduced Tuesday.
The three-count indictment prices the Democratic congresswoman with “forcibly impeding and interfering with federal legislation enforcement officers” on the facility, New Jersey U.S. Lawyer Alina Habba stated in a submit on X.
“As I’ve said up to now, it’s my Constitutional obligation because the Chief Federal Regulation Enforcement Officer for New Jersey to make sure that our federal companions are protected when executing their duties,” Habba stated. “Whereas persons are free to specific their views for or towards specific insurance policies, they need to not achieve this in a way that endangers legislation enforcement and the communities these officers serve.”
The indictment is a normal procedural step after Habba’s workplace charged McIver by way of a prison grievance final month.
McIver has vowed she is going to combat the costs and plans to plead not responsible.
“The information of this case will show I used to be merely doing my job and can expose these proceedings for what they’re: a brazen try at political intimidation,” she stated in an announcement on X. “This indictment is not any extra justified than the unique prices, and is an effort by Trump’s administration to dodge accountability for the chaos ICE brought about and scare me out of doing the work I used to be elected to do. But it surely will not work — I cannot be intimidated.”
Police physique cam picture of New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver exterior of an ICE detention facility, in Newark, N.J., Could 9, 2025.
United States District Court docket/District of New Jersey
On Could 9, McIver and some different members of Congress have been at Delaney Corridor, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, to conduct oversight.
Tensions escalated when a federal officer ordered Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to depart a secured space of the power or face arrest, and pushing and shoving allegedly occurred, in line with prosecutors.
“Throughout her continued makes an attempt to thwart the arrest, McIver slammed her forearm into the physique of 1 legislation enforcement officer and in addition reached out and tried to restrain that officer by forcibly grabbing him,” the Division of Justice stated in a press launch on Tuesday. “McIver additionally used every of her forearms to forcibly strike a second officer.”
Following the costs by way of prison grievance, McIver alleged in an announcement that the choice was politically motivated.
“The fees towards me are purely political — they mischaracterize and warp my actions, and are supposed to criminalize and deter legislative oversight,” McIver stated.
High Home Democrats additionally launched a joint assertion final month defending McIver, vowing to “vigorously” reply to what they are saying is an illegitimate abuse of energy.
“An assault on one among us is an assault on the American folks. Home Democrats will reply vigorously within the days to return at a time, place and method of our selecting,” the leaders stated.
If convicted, the utmost penalty for the costs within the indictment ranges from one to eight years, Habba stated.
Baraka was arrested on the facility and charged with trespassing, although Habba later dropped the cost.
