A Democrat congresswoman is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to face federal charges after allegedly obstructing Homeland Security agents during a chaotic scene at an immigration facility last month.
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) has been indicted on three counts, including forcibly impeding federal officers during the attempted arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at the Delaney Hall immigration facility on May 9.
McIver has stated through her legal team that she intends to plead not guilty.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the incident unfolded when McIver and two other members of Congress claimed they were conducting a “congressional oversight visit” that coincided with an organized immigration protest.
Federal agents said Mayor Baraka was initially granted access to a restricted area but refused to leave when ordered.
When officers attempted to arrest him for trespassing, McIver allegedly intervened physically, placing herself between the mayor and the officers, slamming her forearm into one agent and grabbing another by the arms, using force to block the arrest.
The DOJ notes that the first two charges against McIver each carry up to eight years in prison, while the third charge carries a maximum one-year sentence.
The case is being prosecuted by Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a former legal representative for President Donald Trump.
Habba previously stated McIver “assaulted, impeded, and interfered with law enforcement,” characterizing the charges as serious breaches of federal law.
McIver, however, is painting the indictment as a political stunt.
In a statement, she accused the federal government of “intimidation tactics” and said the charges are part of a pattern of behavior by Trump-aligned officials.
“The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job,” McIver said.
“This indictment is no more justified than the original charge and is an effort by Trump’s administration to dodge accountability for the chaos ICE caused and scare me out of doing the work I was elected to do.”
Despite McIver’s claims, Mayor Baraka was arrested during the incident, though a trespassing charge was later dismissed.
In a separate development, Campaign for Accountability, a left-wing watchdog organization, filed a complaint with the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics against Habba.
The complaint accuses Habba of misconduct and suggests the prosecution is politically motivated.
The group alleges the charges against McIver and Baraka are retaliatory, citing policy differences with the Trump administration.
Regardless of political spin, legal experts say the video evidence and eyewitness accounts from law enforcement are likely to be central to the case.
McIver’s court appearance comes amid growing scrutiny over how elected officials interact with federal agencies during politically charged events.
The outcome of the case could have broader implications for how far members of Congress can go when inserting themselves into law enforcement operations.
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