Thinking she could disguise her criminal deeds as protected congressional oversight actions, Democrat Representative LaMonica McIver (NJ) has landed herself in deep water.
The congresswoman faces serious federal charges for assaulting law enforcement officers at an ICE detention facility in Newark.
The criminal case marks the first prosecution of a sitting lawmaker by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department in his second term.
The move signals a zero-tolerance approach to those who attack federal officers, even members of Congress.
Former Trump attorney and newly appointed interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba made the announcement..
McIver has been charged with assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center.
McIver attempted to access the facility alongside two other New Jersey Democrats and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka when the confrontation occurred.
The evidence against McIver reportedly includes body camera footage showing the assault on ICE officials.
In turn, McIver denies accusations of violence, including claims she “body slammed” officers.
Despite attempts to resolve the issue without criminal charges, prosecutors say McIver rebuffed all opportunities for resolution.
“I have persistently made efforts to address these issues without bringing criminal charges and have given Representative McIver every opportunity to come to a resolution, but she has unfortunately declined,” Habba stated.
Unlike McIver, Mayor Baraka’s previous trespassing charge for the same incident was dropped.
This suggests that prosecutors viewed the congresswoman’s assault on federal officers as a more serious offense.
The charge against McIver falls under Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1), the same statute Democrats used against many January 6 Capitol protesters.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem firmly backed the prosecution.
She stated, “If any person, regardless of political party, influence or status, assaults a law enforcement officer as we witnessed Congresswoman McIver do, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“No one is above the law — politicians or otherwise. It is the job of this office to uphold Justice, regardless of who you are. Now we will let the justice system work,” Habba added.
Noem emphasized that the charges came after “a thorough review of the video footage” and a complete investigation.
McIver’s Democrat colleagues have circled the wagons, claiming the charges are politically motivated despite the evidence.
They have attempted to frame the prosecution as an attack on congressional oversight rather than addressing the assault on federal officers who were simply doing their jobs.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reinforced the administration’s stance, declaring that “assaults on federal law enforcement will not be tolerated.”
While lawmakers do have certain rights to tour federal facilities, including ICE detention centers, those rights do not extend to assaulting law enforcement officers.
McIver’s actions appear to have crossed the line from conducting oversight to engaging in unlawful obstruction and aggression toward federal officers tasked with securing the facility.
The case represents a clear message from the Trump administration that the rule of law applies equally to everyone, even Democratic politicians who have grown accustomed to operating with impunity.
