In a rare and fiery clash between Congress and the Trump administration, Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey is facing federal assault charges after what her supporters call a chaotic overreach by ICE officers outside the Newark Immigration Detention Center.
McIver says she was simply doing her job conducting oversight when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested trying to join her.
The charges against Baraka have quietly been dropped, but McIver is being prosecuted for allegedly elbowing an officer in the crowd.
Homeland Security released shaky video footage, but it does not clearly show intent.
Democrats are calling foul, accusing Trump’s Justice Department of weaponizing law enforcement to silence dissent.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the charges, calling them a “morally bankrupt attack on legislative oversight.”
Framing the charges as political retaliation, McIver says she’s not backing down — and she’s ready for court.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
