Democratic Rep. McIver charged with assault after skirmish at ICE center; federal charges dropped against Newark mayor
After the mayors' misdemeanor and trespassing charges were dropped, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba shared a press release saying McIver is now faces assault charges for interfering with law enforcement.
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Rep. LaMonica McIver is being charged with assault following her visit to the Delaney Hall Detention Center ahead of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka's arrest at the facility on May 9.
After the mayors' misdemeanor and trespassing charges were dropped, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba shared a press release saying McIver is now faces assault charges for interfering with law enforcement.
Rep. McIver is seen trying to protect the mayor as federal agents push through the crowd to arrest him. In video released by the Department of Homeland Security, the congresswoman is seen pushing her elbows into an officer wearing a police uniform.
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"I think the charges are absurd. It's ridiculous. I was there to do my job along with my other colleagues. We have done this before," said McIver on Tuesday. "It's in our job description to have oversight over a facility and the entire situation was escalated by ICE."
However, According to President Donald Trump, "She was shoving federal agents; she was out of control."
"The days of that are over in this country," he said.
State and local lawmakers say they are standing with Rep. McIver and say she had every right to be at Delaney Hall.
Habba also welcomed the mayor back for a visit to the detention center on behalf of the Department of Justice and said she would accompany him.
