New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver was charged on Monday for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers outside of an ICE detention facility earlier this month.
Tensions at the protest escalated and pushing and shoving allegedly occurred, according to the U.S. Attorney.
“We thank our brave ICE law enforcement officers for their service to this great nation.”
Following the charges, Rep. McIver alleged in a statement that the decision was politically motivated.
Top House Democrats released a joint statement defending Rep. McIver on Monday, vowing to “vigorously” respond to what they say is an illegitimate abuse of power.
Representative from New Jersey. On Monday, LaMonica McIver was charged with assaulting law enforcement earlier this month outside of an ICE detention center.
Behaving as though U. A. The congresswoman is accused of assaulting and obstructing a law enforcement official, according to attorney Alina Habba.
McIver, Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, and a few other members of Congress were demonstrating outside Delaney Hall, a U.S. S. . facility for detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The U.S. government claims that pushing and shoving took place during the protest as tensions increased. S. Lawyer. .
According to Habba’s statement, “Representative LaMonica McIver assaulted, impeded, and interfered with law enforcement in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1).”. “The chief federal law enforcement official in the State of New Jersey cannot overlook that conduct, and it is my constitutional duty to ensure that our federal law enforcement is protected when performing their duties. I have consistently attempted to address these issues without filing criminal charges, and I have given Representative Melver every chance to reach a resolution, but she has regrettably declined.”. “.”.
“Politicians or not, nobody is above the law. No matter who you are, this office’s responsibility is to protect justice. We will now allow the legal system to operate,” Habba continued.
In a social media post, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem echoed Habba’s decision.
On X, Noem wrote, “Anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer as we saw Congresswoman McIver do, regardless of political party, influence, or status, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”. “For their service to this wonderful country, we are grateful to our courageous ICE law enforcement officers. “.
After the accusations, Rep. In a statement, McIver claimed that politics played a role in the decision.
According to McIver, “the charges against me are purely political—they are intended to criminalize and discourage legislative oversight, and they misrepresent and distort my actions.”. “I will always continue to work for the people in our district and defend moral principles, even under this administration. I appreciate all of the support I have gotten, and I am eager for the truth to be presented in court,” she continued.
In Newark, the U.S. dropped the charges against Mayor Baraka. A. Attorney.
A joint statement from leading House Democrats defended Rep. pledging to “vigorously” address what they claim is an unlawful abuse of power, McIver on Monday.
“The American people are being attacked when one of us is attacked. In the coming days, House Democrats will react forcefully at a time, location, and style of our choosing,” the leaders declared.
The lawmakers also point out that following the purported altercation, McIver took a tour of the facility. It is not substantiated that Rep. According to the lawmakers, McIver did not commit any crimes and if she had, she would not have been allowed to tour the location.
