Shocking Hearing Moment: Dem Facing Federal Assault Charges Asks ICE Director if He's 'Going To Hell'
A tense exchange erupted on Capitol Hill this week after Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver confronted acting ICE Director Todd Lyons with a stunning personal attack during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing.
The confrontation underscored the increasingly combative tone surrounding immigration enforcement under President Donald J. Trump’s second term — even as the administration continues prioritizing border security and interior enforcement amid ongoing national concerns.
“Do You Think You’re Going to Hell?”
During Tuesday’s hearing, McIver veered sharply from policy oversight into personal condemnation.
“[H]ow do you think Judgment Day will work for you with so much blood on your hands?” McIver asked Lyons.
Lyons declined to engage.
“Oh, okay, of course not,” McIver replied.
“Do you think you’re going to hell, Mr. Lyons?”
Lyons again refused to entertain the accusation.
Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino, a Republican from New York, intervened to restore order.
“The gentlelady will suspend. As I said, the issues we’re debating here are important to ones that members feel deeply about. While vigorous disagreement is part of the legislative process, members are reminded that we must adhere to established standards of decorum and debate,” Garbarino said.
“The witnesses are here voluntarily. And I will continue to remind members that while oversight is important, aggressively attacking those witnesses personally is inappropriate and not in keeping with the traditions of our committee.”
Charges Stemming From ICE Facility Confrontation
The heated exchange comes months after federal prosecutors charged McIver in May with assaulting law enforcement officers during a confrontation at an ICE facility in New Jersey.
Authorities allege the incident occurred during what critics described as a staged political demonstration at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility. Former U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said McIver “assaulted, impeded, and interfered with law enforcement” during the altercation.
According to officials, McIver made what they characterized as an orchestrated attempt to disrupt operations at the ICE center under the guise of congressional oversight.
McIver has denied wrongdoing, claiming the charges are politically motivated and misrepresent her conduct.
Blame Directed at Trump Administration
During her questioning, McIver also blamed President Trump’s administration for multiple deaths, including the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE and Border Patrol agents in January.
The accusations reflect a broader strategy among progressive lawmakers who continue to frame immigration enforcement as morally illegitimate — even as polls consistently show Americans support stronger border security and enforcement measures.
Under President Trump’s leadership, ICE has intensified efforts to restore order to the immigration system following years of record illegal crossings and strained federal resources.
While oversight of executive agencies is a constitutional responsibility of Congress, Tuesday’s exchange illustrated how quickly policy disputes can devolve into personal attacks — raising questions about whether some lawmakers are more interested in viral moments than substantive reform.
As immigration remains one of the defining issues of President Trump’s second term, tensions between enforcement officials and progressive members of Congress show little sign of cooling.