NJ Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted on Federal Charges for ICE Detention Center Incident

U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was indicted on three federal charges for allegedly forcibly impeding and interfering with immigration officers during a May 9 incident at Newark's Delaney Hall detention facility. The charges stem from a confrontation involving McIver and other lawmakers, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was arrested but later had charges dropped. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba stated the indictment reflects a constitutional obligation to protect law enforcement while allowing people to express views without endangering officers or communities. McIver called the indictment a politically motivated attempt by President Donald Trump's administration to intimidate her and distract from ICE's actions, asserting she was performing her congressional oversight duties. Her attorney, former U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, described the charges as political retaliation and pledged to challenge them in court. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts and Democratic officials' oversight actions in New Jersey.