DHS Secretary Noem Accuses NJ Democrats of Felonies at ICE Newark Facility

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused three Democratic lawmakers from New Jersey—Reps. Rob Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver—of committing felonies during a visit to the ICE detention center at Delaney Hall in Newark. Noem described their actions as an assault on law enforcement officers rather than a legitimate oversight visit, citing footage showing physical confrontations including body slamming and shoving of ICE agents. The Democrats defended their visit as lawful oversight, with Rep. Watson Coleman clarifying that any physical altercations occurred after they were escorted inside, asserting their authority to conduct such visits without prior notice. Noem called for these lawmakers to be censured and removed from their committee assignments, arguing that their behavior endangered staff and detainees and undermined the rule of law. The incident prompted a federal investigation led by the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Meanwhile, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned against arresting the lawmakers, framing such actions as crossing a red line.