Kristi Noem: Democrat Lawmakers Who Stormed ICE Facility May Soon Face Arrest

A growing controversy is unfolding in New Jersey, where several Democrat members of Congress may soon be facing criminal charges after allegedly assaulting federal law enforcement officers at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center.

The confrontation, which took place at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, involved Representatives LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rob Menendez, along with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. According to Fox News, the group forced their way into the facility, and at least one ICE officer was reportedly assaulted during the chaos.

While Mayor Baraka has already been taken into custody, the legal fallout may just be beginning. A spokesperson from ICE confirmed that arrests of other individuals involved remain on the table.

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

She added unequivocally, “If you assault a law enforcement officer, we will ensure you face justice. So, I think arrests are still on the table for this. This is an ongoing investigation.”

According to DHS, part of the incident was caught on video and appears to show a member of Congress physically “body-slamming a female ICE officer.”

Rep. McIver attempted to paint a different picture in a post on X, alleging 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,” she wrote.

Rep. Watson Coleman also downplayed the situation, denying any wrongdoing by the delegation.

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

However, the Department of Homeland Security has since released bodycam footage directly contradicting their narrative. The video reportedly shows Rep. McIver in red clothing forcefully pushing past DHS personnel, with Rep. Menendez closely behind her.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin posted the footage online, writing:

“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 (in red clothing) shoving/elbowing her way past a DHS agent to get past the gate and into the property, followed by @RepMenendez. The video also shows Congresswoman McIver screaming in the faces of DHS agents.”

While Mayor Baraka’s legal team claimed he was merely cited for municipal trespassing, federal authorities are not taking the matter lightly.

U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba made clear that Baraka had been warned repeatedly.

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

The incident raises serious questions about the Democrats’ willingness to flout law enforcement boundaries in pursuit of political theatrics. Under the strong leadership of President Donald Trump, federal agencies like ICE are being empowered to enforce the law without fear or favor—regardless of a violator’s political status.

As investigations continue, the nation watches to see whether accountability will be enforced across the board—even for those in Congress.