A New Jersey congresswoman’s protest antics have landed her in hot water with a federal grand jury. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) faces three charges for allegedly roughing up federal agents during a chaotic immigration protest, as Politico reports. The indictment, announced on Tuesday, signals a crackdown on those who think they’re above the law.
On May 9, outside a Newark immigration detention facility, McIver allegedly interfered with law enforcement, leading to charges that could mean 17 years behind bars. The incident involved a scuffle after agents attempted to arrest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was later charged with misdemeanor trespassing, though that charge was dropped. This is the Trump administration’s latest move to hold accountable those disrupting immigration enforcement.
The trouble began when Baraka was invited into a gated area at the facility, only to be told to leave. As agents moved to arrest him, McIver allegedly slammed her forearm into one officer and grabbed another, per a criminal complaint filed last month. Federal prosecutors aren’t playing games, and McIver’s actions have now earned her a starring role in a federal indictment.
Body cameras and facility footage captured McIver’s alleged attacks, showing her using both forearms to strike another officer. This wasn’t a peaceful protest but a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice, prosecutors say. The progressive playbook of chaos over order is on full display here.
“As I have stated in the past, it is my Constitutional obligation as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer for New Jersey to ensure that our federal partners are protected,” interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba posted on social media. Her words underscore a no-nonsense approach to law enforcement safety. Yet, McIver’s allies see this as a witch hunt, not accountability.
“An effort by Trump’s administration to dodge accountability for the chaos ICE caused,” McIver claimed in a statement. Her attempt to spin this as political persecution falls flat when you consider the video evidence. Blaming ICE for her actions is a tired tactic from the left’s victimhood manual.
The indictment adds a misdemeanor count for McIver’s alleged interference with other officers beyond the two named in the initial complaint. This escalation suggests prosecutors are digging deeper into her role in the melee. It’s a bold move, but one that fits the administration’s push to restore law and order.
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez were also at the scene, though they’ve escaped charges so far. Their presence raises questions about how far progressive lawmakers will go to grandstand against immigration policies. The line between protest and lawbreaking seems awfully blurry for some.
Habba’s office called the indictment “the next step in a process that my office will pursue to a just end.” Her resolve is clear, but critics point to her office’s fumbles in Baraka’s dropped trespassing case. A federal judge labeled those efforts “worrisome” and “embarrassing,” which doesn’t inspire confidence in the prosecution’s batting average.
Baraka, now suing Habba, was a central figure in the May 9 incident. His brief arrest attempt sparked McIver’s alleged outburst, and his dropped charge hasn’t cooled tensions. The timing of the indictment, as polls closed in New Jersey’s gubernatorial primary with Baraka on the ballot, smells like more than coincidence to some.
“The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job,” McIver insisted in her statement. Her claim of just doing her job rings hollow when “job duties” include allegedly assaulting federal agents. The courtroom, not press releases, will settle that argument.
The Trump administration’s broader strategy is evident: no tolerance for those undermining immigration enforcement. Troops sent to Los Angeles over similar protests show this isn’t just a New Jersey issue. Progressives crying “intimidation” might want to check their own actions before pointing fingers.
Habba’s office has faced criticism for sloppy work, particularly in Baraka’s case, which could haunt this prosecution. A federal judge’s sharp rebuke over “blunders” suggests McIver’s defense team will come out swinging. If the evidence isn’t airtight, this could become another embarrassment for Habba.
“While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement,” Habba emphasized online. Her point is hard to argue: free speech doesn’t include free swings at officers. McIver’s team will need more than rhetoric to counter that.
The indictment wasn’t posted on federal court websites by Tuesday night, leaving some details murky. Still, with up to 17 years on the line, McIver’s political future hangs in the balance. This case is a stark reminder that actions have consequences, even for those cloaked in progressive virtue.
