House Minority Leader Jeffries Threatens Retaliation Over ICE Facility Assault Investigation

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have issued strong warnings and threats of retaliation against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and ICE agents regarding the potential arrest of Democratic lawmakers involved in a confrontation at the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. The incident involved New Jersey Democratic representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez Jr., and LaMonica McIver, who allegedly stormed the facility and assaulted ICE agents, with bodycam footage reportedly showing physical altercations including a female ICE officer being bodyslammed. DHS has confirmed the possibility of arrests, with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka already arrested and charged with federal trespass. Jeffries described any arrests or sanctions against the lawmakers as a "red line" that DHS officials dare not cross and dismissed DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin's comments as intimidation tactics. Ocasio-Cortez defended the lawmakers, accusing DHS and its leadership of breaking the law and threatening consequences if any member of Congress is harmed. These developments have escalated tensions between congressional Democrats and federal law enforcement, with DHS emphasizing that members of Congress must comply with facility rules and law enforcement directives.