Rep. McIver Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charges \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Representative LaMonica McIver pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing her of assaulting and obstructing federal immigration officers during a congressional oversight visit in Newark. She faces two felony charges with a possible eight-year sentence and one misdemeanor up to one year. Judge Jamel Semper set her trial for November 10, as McIver and allies criticized the prosecution as politically motivated.
Quick Looks
- What happened: McIver pleaded not guilty to three counts—two felonies and one misdemeanor—related to an incident outside ICE detention.
- Political dynamic: Surrounded by supporters, she denounced the charges as intimidation aimed at Democratic resistance.
- Legal details: She faces up to 17 years in prison and is due for trial on November 10.
Deep Look
U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to federal charges stemming from a confrontation with federal immigration agents during a congressional oversight visit to a New Jersey detention facility. The charges include two felony counts of assaulting and impeding federal officers and one misdemeanor for interfering with their duties. The case marks an unusual and politically sensitive clash between the executive branch and a sitting member of Congress over immigration enforcement.
The indictment centers on a May 9 visit to Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed immigration detention center in Newark operated by a private contractor for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). McIver and several other Democratic lawmakers, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, were visiting the site as part of a broader congressional oversight initiative. A nearly two-minute video released by the Department of Homeland Security shows McIver inside a gated area, surrounded by a crowd of demonstrators and officials, during a tense moment when Baraka was arrested outside the fence.
In the video, McIver is seen with her arms moving in a confined group of people and officers. At one point, her elbows make contact with an officer wearing a dark face covering and an olive green uniform marked “Police.” The footage is ambiguous and does not clearly show whether her actions were deliberate or incidental in the chaotic crowd. According to the federal complaint, McIver “slammed” her forearm into one officer and attempted to grab or restrain him as he engaged with Mayor Baraka. Prosecutors also claim she placed her arms around Baraka in an effort to prevent his arrest.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, McIver presented a defiant front as she emerged from the federal courthouse in Newark following her arraignment. “They will not intimidate me. They will not stop me from doing my job,” she told reporters. Her attorney, former U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, said McIver maintains her innocence, asserting that it was law enforcement agents—not lawmakers—who escalated the situation at Delaney Hall.
The prosecution is led by interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a Republican appointee of former President Donald Trump. Critics, including McIver and Baraka, have argued that the case is politically motivated. Baraka, who was arrested during the same incident on a trespassing charge that was later dismissed, has filed a lawsuit against Habba, accusing her office of malicious prosecution and abuse of power. He alleges that the Trump administration is using law enforcement as a tool to suppress Democratic opposition and stifle immigration oversight.
“This is about using federal power to criminalize dissent,” Baraka said during a press appearance alongside McIver. “They’re targeting us for holding them accountable.”
The charges against McIver are rare, particularly given that most federal criminal prosecutions involving members of Congress typically center on corruption, campaign finance violations, or fraud. Here, the core allegation is physical interference with federal officers in the course of performing constitutionally protected oversight responsibilities.
Federal law permits members of Congress to enter and inspect immigration detention facilities under their oversight role—codified in a 2019 appropriations bill passed by Congress. The law gives lawmakers the authority to make unannounced visits to ensure compliance with federal standards and human rights protections.
McIver, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, won a special election in September 2024 following the death of Rep. Donald Payne Jr. She was elected to a full term two months later. A Newark native, she previously served as the president of the Newark City Council and worked in the city’s public school system. Her political career has been closely tied to local advocacy on education and community policing—making her indictment all the more controversial in a city where tensions with federal immigration authorities have long simmered.
She is now facing a potential maximum sentence of 17 years in federal prison if convicted on all charges. Judge Jamel Semper has set her trial for November 10, 2025. The legal proceedings are expected to draw significant national attention, as they intersect not only with issues of immigration policy but also with the broader role of federal power in a politically polarized environment.
Democratic colleagues, including New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, have spoken out in McIver’s defense, calling the charges exaggerated and baseless. They argue the indictment undermines congressional authority and sets a troubling precedent for future oversight efforts.
As the legal case unfolds, McIver’s team is likely to argue that her actions were part of a lawful and constitutionally protected oversight mission, not an assault or interference. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice appears determined to pursue the case, even amid mounting scrutiny over its handling of dissent and protest in immigration enforcement zones.
The outcome of the trial could not only determine McIver’s political future but may also shape the boundaries of congressional oversight in immigration policy—a flashpoint in American politics that shows no signs of cooling.
Rep. McIver Pleads Rep. McIver Pleads
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