“What the F is incorrect with you?” mentioned U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic chief within the Home of Representatives, in a video reacting to the Trump administration criminally charging Rep. LaMonica McIver over an encounter she and different members of Congress had with ICE brokers earlier this month.
McIver, a freshman representing New Jersey’s tenth Congressional District, has been charged with assaulting, impeding, or interfering with legislation enforcement. The costs had been introduced late Monday by Interim New Jersey U.S. Lawyer Alina Habba, who was appointed by President Donald Trump and served as his authorized spokesperson earlier than briefly serving as his White Home counselor.
On Could 9, Rep. McIver joined Democratic Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Robert Menendez Jr. to survey a federal immigration detention middle in Newark alongside the town’s mayor, Ras Baraka, who was infamously arrested for allegedly trespassing. Video footage of the skirmish confirmed a chaotic scene as all three members of Congress tried to stop ICE brokers from arresting Baraka, whose misdemeanor case was dismissed.
Black members of Congress swiftly condemned Habba’s determination to cost Congresswoman McIver, accusing the Trump administration of enjoying politics and abusing their govt energy. They vowed to hunt accountability.
“We’re going to be sure that each single individual chargeable for this corrupt abuse of energy and egregious overreach is held accountable,” mentioned Jeffries.
The Home Democratic chief refuted the declare that McIver dedicated any crime and insisted that she and her colleagues had been “conducting a constitutionally protected oversight go to.” Jeffries demanded the costs in opposition to the New Jersey congresswoman be dropped “instantly.”
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, additionally shortly condemned the costs in opposition to McIver late Monday night time.
“Let me be very clear: that is what the weaponization of presidency seems like,” mentioned Crockett, a rising star within the Democratic Get together. “Rep. LaMonica McIver was doing her job—conducting oversight, standing up for her constituents, and demanding solutions from an out-of control-administration.”
Crockett, who sits on the Home Judiciary Committee, mentioned that as a substitute of being allowed to do her job, McIver was met with “retaliation” and “intimidation,” including, “Now, they’re hitting her with expenses.”
“Let’s be trustworthy: this isn’t about justice. It’s a political stunt—plain and easy. Charging Rep. McIver is a determined try to scare her into silence,” mentioned the congresswoman and lawyer. “If they’ll come for an elected Member of Congress whereas she’s doing her job, they’ll come for anyone. Doesn’t matter when you’re a citizen, a inexperienced card holder, or somebody simply making an attempt to outlive on this nation—when you problem their energy, you turn into a goal.”
The Texas lawmaker continued: “This is identical drained authoritarian playbook we’ve seen repeatedly beneath this administration.”
Rep. Yvette Clarke, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, additionally condemned the Trump administration as being “cowardly” and hitting McIver with “bogus expenses.”
“In the end, these efforts will fail, as a result of Home Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus won’t ever bend the knee to the Trump administration,” mentioned Clarke.
“The CBC and Home Democrats will proceed working every day to carry President Trump and his administration accountable, together with conducting constitutionally mandated oversight and standing up in opposition to these makes an attempt at congressional intimidation, bullying, and excessive abuses of energy.”
