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Congresswoman LaMonica McIver has been indicted for allegedly "forcibly impeding and interfering" with federal law enforcement amid a protest outside of an ICE detention facility last month.
On Tuesday (June 10), a federal grand jury in New Jersey brought a three-count indictment against McIver following her encounter with law enforcement during her visit to Delaney Hall, an ICE Facility in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9, per BBC.
McIver was joined by other members of Congress, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, as well as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, at the oversight visit last month.
Video footage showed that chaos ensued between police, ICE agents, protestors, and politicians. The Congress members were eventually granted access to tour the building. Baraka, however, was charged with trespassing at the ICE facility. The charge was later dropped, but according to the indictment, McIver allegedly prevented a DHS agent from arresting Baraka. The indictment also alleges that McIver pushed past an ICE officer "while using her forearms to strike" him.
McIver was initially charged with assault, a move the Democratic congresswoman previously said was politically motivated.
"The charges against me are purely political-they mischaracterize and distort my actions, and are meant to criminalize and deter legislative oversight," McIver said. "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."
McIver now faces a maximum term of 17 years in prison. She's said she will plead not guilty to the indictment.
"We are eager to challenge these allegations head-on in court and fully expect the Congresswoman's exoneration," her lawyer, Paul Fishman, said in a statement.
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