Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver has been charged with assaulting federal law enforcement during a confrontation outside an immigration detention center, according to Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. The charge stems from a chaotic encounter that unfolded as McIver and other officials attempted to conduct a facility inspection, prompting widespread political backlash and raising questions about the role of congressional oversight.
Habba announced the charge Monday on social media but did not immediately release court documents. The charge—assaulting, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement—marks a rare federal criminal case against a sitting member of Congress unrelated to corruption or fraud.
The incident occurred during a tense visit to Delaney Hall detention center. A video released by the Department of Homeland Security shows McIver pushing through a crowd and appearing to make elbow contact with a federal officer. Whether the contact was intentional remains unclear. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the charge followed a “thorough review” of the footage.
Simultaneously, prosecutors dropped a trespassing charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested during the same incident while trying to join McIver and two other lawmakers. Habba called the dismissal an effort to “move forward” and invited Baraka to tour the facility with her.
McIver, who denies wrongdoing, denounced the charge as politically motivated. “This administration will never stop me from working for the people in our district,” she said in a statement. Her attorney called the prosecution “spectacularly inappropriate.”
Baraka, a Democratic gubernatorial hopeful, voiced support for McIver, calling her a “daughter of Newark” and predicting her vindication.
House Democratic leaders condemned the charge as an attack on legislative oversight, accusing the Trump administration of trying to intimidate lawmakers. “Not today. Not ever,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries in a joint statement.
McIver, 38, joined Congress in a 2024 special election and previously served as Newark City Council president.
