New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted for Assault on ICE Officers

New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver has been federally indicted on three counts for allegedly assaulting and obstructing federal law enforcement officers during a May 9 protest at an ICE detention center in Newark. The charges, brought by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, include forcibly impeding and interfering with officers, carrying a maximum sentence of up to 17 years in prison. Habba emphasized the need to protect federal officers while acknowledging the right to protest, but stated protests must not endanger law enforcement or communities. McIver, joined by other officials during the protest, denies wrongdoing, calling the indictment a politically motivated attempt by the Trump administration to intimidate her and avoid accountability for ICE's actions. Legal analysts suggest the case may face challenges given the political context and previous pardons related to assaults on law enforcement, making a conviction uncertain. McIver has pledged to plead not guilty and continue her work despite the charges.