The Congressional Black Caucus decried the assault charges filed against member Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), announced Monday by New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor following an altercation between the congresswoman and ICE officials at a detention center in Newark.
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), chair of the caucus, said the charges are “shameful and entirely without merit.”
“These bogus charges are nothing short of a cowardly attempt to intimidate members of Congress from holding this administration accountable,” Clarke said in a statement.
“Ultimately, these efforts will fail, because House Democrats and the Congressional Black Caucus will never bend the knee to the Trump administration.”
Clarke vowed that the CBC will hold President Trump and his administration accountable, including “standing up against these attempts at congressional intimidation, bullying, and extreme abuses of power.”
McIver faces two counts of assaulting, resisting, and impeding certain officers or employees. The charges stem from McIver’s visit to Delaney Hall federal detention center earlier this month with fellow New Jersey Democratic Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D).
Clarke said McIver was at the detention center acting “in her capacity” as a U.S.representative and member of the Committee on Homeland Security.
In a video released by the Department of Homeland Security, McIver can be seen in a group of people and officers. At one point her left elbow and then her right elbow push into an officer wearing a face covering and a uniform with the word “Police” on it.
It is unclear whether the contract was intentional or accidental.
“The charges against me are purely political-they mischaracterize and distort my actions, and are meant to criminalize and deter legislative oversight,” McIver said in a statement.
“This administration will never stop me from working for the people in our district and standing up for what is right. I am thankful for the outpouring of support I have received and I look forward to the truth being laid out clearly in court.”
