US Rep McIver Seeks Dismissal of Assault Charges in ICE Detention Incident

Democratic U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver from New Jersey is facing federal charges for allegedly assaulting ICE officers during a May 9 incident at Delaney Hall, a detention center in Newark. McIver and her attorneys argue the charges are politically motivated and represent selective prosecution by the Trump administration, claiming she was conducting legitimate congressional oversight as a member of the Homeland Security Committee. Her legal team has filed motions to dismiss the charges, citing legislative immunity and pointing out inconsistencies in the government's case, including the use of government officials' public posts that may influence jurors. The U.S. Attorney's Office maintains that McIver endangered law enforcement officers, while the judge has yet to rule on the motions and has requested additional evidence and policy documents from prosecutors. The case has drawn significant public and political support for McIver, with rallies and statements from prominent figures like Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, who describe the charges as an assault on democracy and an example of targeting strong Black women. If convicted, McIver faces several years in prison, but the judge is taking time to consider the complex legal issues involved before issuing a decision.