Rep. McIver Faces Trial for ICE Facility Scuffle

U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of assaulting and interfering with law enforcement during a May 9 congressional oversight visit to the Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark. Prosecutors allege McIver forcibly intervened and assaulted two officers as agents tried to arrest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, whose trespassing charge was later dropped. McIver asserts she was performing her official duties alongside Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, and claims the charges are politically motivated, accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing the justice system. Baraka and advocacy groups have rallied behind McIver, with Baraka filing a lawsuit against the acting U.S. Attorney for malicious prosecution. The trial is scheduled for November 10, and McIver faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted. The case has intensified debates over federal immigration enforcement and congressional oversight at newly expanded ICE facilities under President Trump.