The halls of Congress have been rocked by a rapidly unfolding scandal centered on Democratic Representative LaMonica McIver of New Jersey, following a dramatic confrontation at a federal immigration facility that has turned into a major flashpoint between Republicans and Democrats over accountability, oversight, and the conduct of elected officials.
In early May, McIver joined two other lawmakers on what was described as an official oversight visit to the Delaney Hall Immigration Facility in Newark, New Jersey. The visit happened to overlap with a public protest occurring just outside the perimeter. What unfolded next has triggered a political uproar—and now, formal action by House Republicans.
According to federal authorities, tensions escalated when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who accompanied the congressional delegation, allegedly entered a restricted area within the facility without proper clearance. Federal immigration officers reportedly warned him to exit the space. When he failed to comply and agents moved to detain him, what followed was both swift and unexpected: Rep. McIver allegedly physically intervened.
Witnesses and federal prosecutors claim that McIver wrapped her arms around Mayor Baraka in an effort to prevent his arrest. In the ensuing struggle, she allegedly used her forearm to strike one ICE agent and grabbed another during the physical altercation. The incident, though brief, was intense enough to lead to a federal investigation and, ultimately, an indictment.
A federal grand jury charged McIver with three counts: assaulting federal officers, interfering with their duties, and obstructing justice. Her office was quick to respond, denouncing the charges as politically motivated. McIver issued a public statement accusing the Trump administration and its allies of using the Department of Justice as a political weapon. “At the end of the day, this is all about political intimidation,” she said. “They’ve weaponized the DOJ. And anyone who stands up to them or criticizes them ends up here.”
Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana, a Republican and outspoken member of the House Homeland Security Committee, responded with a formal resolution to censure McIver. He also called for her removal from the committee entirely, arguing that her continued presence on the panel—which has direct oversight of the Department of Homeland Security—represents a dangerous conflict of interest.
“She should not be participating on the committee that has oversight and voting authority over the branch of federal government that she’s been indicted for committing crimes against,” Higgins stated.
His resolution cites a section of House rules that requires all members to “behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House,” and contends that McIver’s conduct failed to meet that threshold. Notably, House Republican rules mandate that indicted members step down from all committee assignments. Democrats, on the other hand, only enforce such steps for those in leadership roles.
McIver, for her part, pushed back aggressively. She dismissed the resolution as “grandstanding” and took aim at Higgins directly, calling him “a bigot who wants to be back in the news.” In an interview with Axios, she defended her actions as part of her role in congressional oversight and said the move to strip her of her committee role was a blatant attempt to silence her.
“This resolution aims to kick me off the committee that presides over the Department of Homeland Security and shame me for doing the oversight work that is my job,” she said. “Good luck, Clay.”
While Republicans are expected to bring the censure resolution to a vote once Congress returns from its five-week recess, McIver continues to serve on the committee for now. The case has become a symbolic battleground in the larger struggle over immigration enforcement, federal authority, and partisan accountability.
Rep. McIver has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her trial is scheduled to begin on November 10. Until then, her political future—and possibly her congressional seat—hangs in the balance.
Watch the full video of her altercation with ICE agents below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL4oCJKjWWA
