Trump's Ex-Lawyer Takes On Democrat in Explosive Immigration Clash

Paul Riverbank, 6/26/2025Democratic Rep. McIver faces criminal charges after immigration facility clash with law enforcement.

I've covered countless oversight visits gone wrong, but this May 9 incident stands apart. Picture this: three House Democrats conducting what should've been a routine inspection. Then Newark Mayor Ras Baraka gets ordered to leave. Chaos erupts. Now McIver's staring down three criminal counts that could mean serious prison time.

"Just doing my job," McIver insisted after court. She's calling it political intimidation, but here's where it gets thorny. The Justice Department claims she got physical – slamming her forearm into one officer, striking another. Two charges carry 8-year maximums. The third? A year behind bars.

You can't ignore the political undercurrents here. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba's previous role as Trump's lawyer has raised eyebrows. The Campaign for Accountability, never shy about throwing punches, has already filed an ethics complaint suggesting this is pure retaliation.

Worth noting: Baraka's trespassing charge? Dismissed. McIver's team is running with that, hard. Her spokesperson Hanna Rumsey didn't mince words: "Leaders across this country are being targeted for speaking up."

Look, I've watched congressional oversight battles for decades. This one's different. When a routine visit morphs into criminal charges, we're in uncharted territory. The November trial won't just decide McIver's fate – it could redefine the relationship between Congress and executive agencies.

Some veterans on the Hill tell me privately they're worried. If members can face criminal charges during oversight visits, what's next? McIver's "won't back down" stance might play well with her base, but the legal implications here run deep.

The whole mess reads like a case study in how quickly oversight authority can collide with law enforcement prerogatives. With immigration still a powder keg issue, this case could spark something bigger than anyone bargained for.

The halls of Congress are buzzing with tension after Rep. LaMonica McIver's defiant not-guilty plea Wednesday. The New Jersey Democrat faces criminal charges following what her supporters describe as a principled stand at Newark's Delaney Hall immigration facility – and what prosecutors paint as a physical confrontation with law enforcement.I've covered countless oversight visits gone wrong, but this May 9 incident stands apart. Picture this: three House Democrats conducting what should've been a routine inspection. Then Newark Mayor Ras Baraka gets ordered to leave. Chaos erupts. Now McIver's staring down three criminal counts that could mean serious prison time."Just doing my job," McIver insisted after court. She's calling it political intimidation, but here's where it gets thorny. The Justice Department claims she got physical – slamming her forearm into one officer, striking another. Two charges carry 8-year maximums. The third? A year behind bars.You can't ignore the political undercurrents here. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba's previous role as Trump's lawyer has raised eyebrows. The Campaign for Accountability, never shy about throwing punches, has already filed an ethics complaint suggesting this is pure retaliation.Worth noting: Baraka's trespassing charge? Dismissed. McIver's team is running with that, hard. Her spokesperson Hanna Rumsey didn't mince words: "Leaders across this country are being targeted for speaking up."Look, I've watched congressional oversight battles for decades. This one's different. When a routine visit morphs into criminal charges, we're in uncharted territory. The November trial won't just decide McIver's fate – it could redefine the relationship between Congress and executive agencies.Some veterans on the Hill tell me privately they're worried. If members can face criminal charges during oversight visits, what's next? McIver's "won't back down" stance might play well with her base, but the legal implications here run deep.The whole mess reads like a case study in how quickly oversight authority can collide with law enforcement prerogatives. With immigration still a powder keg issue, this case could spark something bigger than anyone bargained for.