Rep. LaMonica McIver indicted for allegedly interfering with ICE agents in Newark, officials say

A federal grand jury in Newark has indicted U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver on three criminal counts tied to a confrontation with immigration authorities at a detention center last month, according to an announcement Tuesday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey.

Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said the indictment accuses McIver of “forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers” during a May 9 incident at Delaney Hall, an immigration detention facility in Newark. The charges carry a combined maximum sentence of 17 years in prison.

According to the indictment, McIver allegedly struck two officers with her forearms and tried to grab another officer while attempting to prevent the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

“While people are free to express their views for or against particular policies, they must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve,” Habba said in the statement on X.

McIver, a Democrat representing New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, has rejected the allegations. In a statement issued by her office Tuesday, she called the case “a brazen attempt at political intimidation” by the Trump administration.

“This indictment is no more justified than the original charges, and is an effort by Trump’s administration to dodge accountability for the chaos ICE caused and scare me out of doing the work I was elected to do,” she said. “But it won’t work—I will not be intimidated. The facts are on our side, I will be entering a plea of not guilty, I’m grateful for the support of my community, and I look forward to my day in court.”

The charges stem from a confrontation between lawmakers and federal agents when McIver, Baraka and others attempted to conduct a congressional oversight visit at Delaney Hall. Video of the incident showed a chaotic scene involving pushing and shouting at the facility’s entrance.

The indictment alleges McIver placed her arms around the mayor and tried to block officers from handcuffing him, after a voice in the crowd yelled “circle the mayor.”

Habba previously said her office had tried to resolve the matter without charges, but McIver declined.

Federal prosecutors have since dropped trespassing charges against Baraka, who has filed a lawsuit accusing officials of false arrest and political retaliation.

McIver was elected in 2024 to complete the term of the late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. She is expected to seek a full term in November.

This is a developing story and may be updated.