The Voice News: U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, has been indicted on three federal charges stemming from an altercation at a Newark immigration detention center last month.
According to interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, McIver faces felony charges for allegedly assaulting two federal officers during what authorities describe as an unauthorized protest at Delaney Hall on May 9. The charges include assaulting, resisting, impeding, and interfering with federal officials, carrying a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison.
Federal prosecutors allege McIver forcibly struck one officer with her forearm and pushed another while attempting to shield Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was being detained for unauthorized presence at the facility. Baraka’s trespassing charge was later dismissed.
McIver contends she was on an official oversight visit with fellow Democratic Representatives Rob Menendez and Bonnie Watson Coleman to examine the treatment of detainees. She has denounced the charges as politically motivated.
“These proceedings are a blatant attempt at intimidation,” McIver said in a statement. “I was fulfilling my duty as an elected representative. The facts are on my side, and I look forward to proving my innocence in court.”
Her attorney, Paul J. Fishman, a former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, called the prosecution “political retaliation,” adding that McIver’s actions were consistent with her oversight responsibilities.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office claims surveillance and body camera footage captured the incident. A preliminary hearing is set for June 11 at 10 a.m. in federal court in Newark. Judge Stacey D. Adams has imposed conditions on McIver, including regular check-ins, a travel restriction, and a ban on firearm possession. A request for international travel was denied unless explicitly approved by Pretrial Services.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren. McIver’s legal team includes Fishman and Lee M. Cortes Jr. of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer.
In a recent MSNBC interview, McIver said, “I’m just the next person on their list,” suggesting broader political motives behind the indictment.
