June 11, 2025
Rep. LaMonica McIver indicted, plans to plead not guilty
by Andrew Solender
Axios.com
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury and plans to plead not guilty, according to statements from the congresswoman and the U.S. attorney's office in New Jersey.
Why it matters: Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said McIver is facing a three-count indictment for allegedly "forcibly impeding and interfering with federal law enforcement officers," and faces up to 17 years in prison if convicted.
• McIver has denied the charges and said in a statement that "the facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation."
• She said she plans to enter a plea of not guilty.
State of play: McIver and Reps. Rob Menendez Jr. (D-N.J.) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) were involved in a scuffle with law enforcement outside the Delany Hall detention facility in Newark last month.
• The incident occurred as ICE officers went to arrest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, with body camera video showing McIver elbowing an officer.
• McIver has said she was the one who was assaulted in the clash.
What they're saying: Habba said in a post on X that "it is my Constitutional obligation ... to ensure that our federal partners are protected when executing their duties."
• "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," she said.
http://www.axios.com/2025/06/10/lamonica-mciver-indicted-alina-habba-doj
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