Chaos erupted at Newark’s Delaney Hall, and now Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-Newark) faces Justice Department charges. On May 9, 2025, a visit by Democrats turned into a scuffle with federal immigration agents, leaving Mayor Ras Baraka in cuffs and McIver in hot water. Turns out, actions have consequences, even for congressional crusaders.
The New Jersey Globe reported that federal authorities plan to charge McIver after she clashed with ICE agents during the visit, joined by Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) and Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City).
Last Friday, the trio of Democratic representatives descended on Delaney Hall, a 1,000-bed detention center in Newark’s East Ward.
The facility, newly housing immigrant detainees since early May, was the target of their oversight mission. But what began as a fact-finding trip ended in handcuffs and headlines.
During the visit, federal agents arrested Baraka, claiming he trespassed on the property. Baraka insisted he followed orders and left when told, but his arrest triggered a melee involving McIver, her colleagues, ICE agents, and protesters at the gate. Both sides point fingers, each claiming the other threw the first shove.
McIver, ever the loyal ally, physically and verbally shielded Baraka as agents led him away. Video footage captures a chaotic scene, though no injuries were reported. Republican claims that McIver body-slammed or punched agents seem far-fetched, given the murky visuals.
“Nobody was ‘body slammed,’” a Watson Coleman spokesperson declared on May 10, 2025, citing DHS body cam footage.
The spokesperson added that ICE agents manhandled Congress members on public property. Nice try, but deflecting blame won’t erase the optics of elected officials brawling with feds.
As of May 18, 2025, no charges have been filed, but Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba is poised to announce them. Three anonymous sources told the New Jersey Globe the Justice Department is zeroing in on McIver. Timing remains unclear, but the legal storm is brewing.
McIver has lawyered up, tapping Paul Fishman, a former U.S. Attorney, and Lee Cortes, a seasoned prosecutor. With such heavy hitters in her corner, she’s bracing for a fight. But navigating this mess won’t be easy when the feds are circling.
Less footage shows Watson Coleman, 80, or Menendez engaging physically, which might explain why McIver is the primary target. The Justice Department’s focus suggests they’re picking their battles carefully. Perhaps age and ambiguity are shielding the others, for now.
House Republicans aren’t letting this slide, proposing censure or stripping committee assignments for the trio’s alleged “assault” on agents. House Speaker Mike Johnson, on May 14, 2025, said he’s weighing all options. It’s a bold move, but don’t expect Democrats to roll over quietly.
The Homeland Security Department began threatening charges over the weekend of May 10-11, 2025. The swift escalation shows how seriously the feds are taking this. Congressional oversight is one thing; scuffling with ICE is another.
McIver’s office stayed silent when asked for comment on May 18, 2025. Dodging the press might work for a day, but stonewalling won’t make this scandal vanish. Transparency, not silence, could’ve softened the blow.
This saga is far from over, and McIver’s legal and political battles are just beginning. House sanctions, federal charges, and public scrutiny will test her resolve. In the end, Newark’s fiery congresswoman might learn that even noble causes don’t justify chaos.