Democrat Lawmakers Could Face Arrest After Clashing With ICE Agents in New Jersey

Democratic members of Congress may soon be facing criminal charges after a chaotic and allegedly violent incident at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in New Jersey, where federal authorities say lawmakers assaulted officers and attempted to unlawfully breach a secured detention center.

The confrontation, which occurred at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark, involved Representatives LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rob Menendez, along with Newark’s Democrat Mayor Ras Baraka. The group allegedly forced their way into the facility during what was described as a politically charged visit under the guise of congressional “oversight,” Fox News reported.

Mayor Baraka was the only member of the group arrested at the scene. However, according to federal officials, more arrests may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.

“If it was a typical U.S. citizen, and they tried to storm into a detention facility that’s housing dangerous criminals or any person at all, they would be arrested,” said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin during an appearance on Fox News Live with host Kevin Corke. “Just because you are a member of Congress or just because you’re a public official does not mean you are above the law.”

McLaughlin emphasized that assaults on law enforcement will not be tolerated, regardless of political affiliation or office held. “If you assault a law enforcement officer, we will also make sure you answer to justice,” she said. “So, I think that arrests are still on the table for this. This is an ongoing investigation.”

DHS has reportedly obtained footage from the altercation that allegedly shows a member of Congress physically assaulting a female ICE officer. According to officials, one representative can be seen “body-slamming” the officer during the disturbance.

Representative McIver attempted to spin the narrative in her favor, claiming on X that she was the victim.

“The way we were treated at Delaney Hall is almost unbelievable. ICE shoved me, manhandled @repbonnie, and arrested @rasjbaraka. They disrespected us and tried to stop us from conducting the oversight we’re elected to do. But we’ll never back down in our fight for what is right,” McIver posted.

Rep. Watson Coleman backed her colleague, denying the allegations in a separate statement.

“Contrary to a press statement put out by DHS we did not ‘storm’ the detention center,” she said. “The author of that press release was so unfamiliar with the facts on the ground[s] that they didn’t even correctly count the number of Representatives present.”

But ICE bodycam footage tells a different story.

WATCH:

Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin described the video in detail on X:

“NEW: DHS has provided @FoxNews ICE bodycam video from the altercation at the Delaney Hall detention facility yesterday. They say the video clearly shows @RepLaMonica (red clothing) shoving/elbowing her way past a DHS agent to get past the gate and into the property, followed behind by @RepMenendez & that it also shows Congresswoman McIver screaming in the faces of DHS agents.”

While Mayor Baraka’s legal team has downplayed the incident, calling it a minor “municipal charge” of trespass that would typically result in a citation, federal authorities aren’t taking the matter lightly.

U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba issued a stern statement on X following Baraka’s arrest:

“The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”

As President Donald Trump continues to enforce America’s immigration laws with strength and resolve, incidents like these highlight the growing tensions between the federal government and left-wing politicians who appear willing to defy the law to score political points. Whether more arrests will follow remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the rule of law is being tested—and this administration is prepared to uphold it.