The fallout continues from a chaotic and highly charged confrontation earlier this week at the Delaney Hall Detention Center in New Jersey, where U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) and several other Democrat lawmakers, including Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, allegedly forced their way onto federal property — triggering a standoff with ICE agents that is now under criminal investigation.
Despite bodycam footage showing Rep. McIver allegedly elbowing and shoving a federal agent, she adamantly denied any wrongdoing during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, insisting: “I do not know how to body slam anyone.”
But the Department of Homeland Security isn’t buying it — and neither is the footage.
🚨BREAKING: I have obtained exclusive ICE officer body cam footage clearly showing Democrat Rep. LaMonica McIver verbally and physically assaulting federal agents in New Jersey after illegally entering an ICE detention facility.
In the video you can see indisputable evidence of… pic.twitter.com/msAQBz23oJ
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 10, 2025
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that the matter is under review, and felony charges remain on the table. McLaughlin emphasized the seriousness of the offense, noting:
“Just because you are a member of Congress or just because you’re a public official, does not mean you are above the law. If you assault a law enforcement officer, we will make sure you answer to justice.”
The flashpoint came when McIver, Watson Coleman, Menendez, and Newark Mayor Ray Baraka attempted an unauthorized “inspection” of the ICE facility. After pushing past the front gate, the group clashed with officers, leading to Baraka’s arrest on trespassing charges. He was later released, but officials have signaled that further arrests are possible — and could include sitting members of Congress.
CNN ANCHOR STUNNED🚨
DHS SPOX:
We have body cam footage of members of CONGRESS assaulting law enforcement at the ICE facility in NJ including “BODYSLAMMIMG a female ICE Officer.”
More arrests coming!
Why is the anchor dumbfounded??
His party is the party of violence and chaos. pic.twitter.com/FJpFLIwSJ9— Rochellemaryn 🌹🕊️ (@RochelleAz) May 10, 2025
Pressed by CNN’s Dana Bash, McIver denied assaulting anyone, despite the video evidence and eyewitness accounts:
“We were simply there to do our job… an oversight visit. It was a very tense situation… absolutely, I did not body slam anyone.”
McIver went on to blame ICE for the confrontation, accusing the agency of provoking the incident and wrongfully arresting Mayor Baraka. Fellow Democrat Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman upped the ante by claiming the bodycam footage is “manufactured.”
“If there’s any such footage, it is footage that is manufactured for this purpose… they are lying,” she said in a statement that borders on conspiracy theory.
This isn’t just a political protest gone sideways. What happened at Delaney Hall is now shaping up to be a serious legal and constitutional issue. Lawmakers are not exempt from federal laws, especially those governing restricted access to detention facilities and interactions with law enforcement.
🚨CNN reports on DHS potentially charging Dem congresspeople for their actions at NJ ICE facility, showing portions of body cam video —
— conveniently omitting the incriminating video of LaMonica McIver assaulting a federal agent.
They then cut to Bonnie Watson Coleman saying… pic.twitter.com/KHL3AurJxA
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) May 10, 2025
There’s body cam footage refuting the claims of the idiots assaulting ice personal. Sit down child https://t.co/5PWuJPBIy7
— Dave Ray (@Dray52scDave) May 12, 2025
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman says, “If anything, we were pushed and shoved” — as bodycam footage shows them assaulting law enforcement officers.
pic.twitter.com/QxxLfwhn2I— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 11, 2025
