WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Lamonica McQuiver was charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer in early May after a confrontation at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility.
On Tuesday, Democrats accused President Donald Trump’s administration of attempts to silence his political rivals in order to oppose his deportation campaign.
In a post on social media platform X, Democrat leader Gil Cisneros denounced the administration for “stalking a judge, a prosecutor and now a member of Congress.”
“The accusations against McQuiber officials are blatant political attacks and attempts to ban Congressional members from conducting surveillance,” Cisneros wrote.
The charges were announced Monday evening, with federal prosecutor Alina Haba, Trump’s former personal attorney, accusing McQuiver of “assaulting, obstructing, obstructing and interfering with law enforcement.
“You cannot overlook the actions,” Haba wrote in a statement. “It is my constitutional obligation to ensure that federal law enforcement is protected when performing its duties.”
The criminal charges stem from the incident, a surveillance tour of Delaney Hall, where McQuiver joined two other members of the Congress. Facilities in Newark, New Jersey.
Visit was left to a Fracus Includes elected officials, protesters and federal law enforcement agencies. Newark Mayor Las Baraka was arrested at the scene on suspicion of trespassing.
In a statement Monday, Haba announced that the charges against Baraka have been removed “to move forward.” However, his arrest similarly encouraged protests against possible political motivations.
“Black and interfere”
Late Monday, McQuiver responded to the charges against her, saying that she and other members of Congress were “fulfilling our legal surveillance responsibility” when they visited the detention center.
McIver denounced ICE agents on the ground creating “unnecessary and unsafe conflicts.” She added her accusations that she “misleadingly distort and distort my actions.”
“The accusations against me are purely political,” McQuiber wrote.
He also said top Democrats are rebellious in the face of Trump administration’s accusations and will continue to supervise duties at immigration facilities like Delaney Hall.
“The criminal charges against Rep. Ramonica McQuiver are extreme, morally bankrupt and not based on law or fact,” the House of Representatives Democratic leader said in a joint statement.
They emphasized that they have the right to appear at federal facilities without notice for inspections.
They argued that the charges against McQuiver were “a blatant attempt by the Trump administration to blackmail Congress and interfere with the ability of an out-of-control administrative department to balance checks.”
In another statement, Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee said criminal charges were “a dangerous precedent” that “reveals the increasingly authoritarian nature of this administration.”
“McQuiver has full support for us. We will do everything in our power to help us fight this outrageous threat to the constitutional system,” they said.
Democrats have accused the Trump administration of calling for “large deportation” for violating the constitution and human rights. As part of that push, the Trump White House has sought to expand its use of civil detention centers to detain an increase in the number of people arrested for deportation.
In particular, Mayor Baraka repeatedly protested the 1,000-bed Delaney Hall to open without proper permission and approval. Its operator, Geo Group, refused to violate.
The facility was set to operate in early May under a 15-year agreement with Ice.