Trump DOJ charges Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver over clash with ICE officers

The Justice Department charged Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) over a scuffle with law enforcement outside an ICE facility in New Jersey last week. Why it matters: McIver is the first federal officeholder targeted by the the Trump administration as they aggressively prosecute politicians who open themselves up to legal liability while opposing the president's mass deportations.McIver has strongly denied assaulting law enforcement during the clash, saying she was the one who was assaulted. In a Monday statement, she called the charges against her "purely political" and said they are "meant to criminalize and deter legislative oversight."The Department of Homeland Security has pointed to body camera footage of what they say is McIver elbowing an ICE agent during the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.What's happening: Alina Habba, U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey announced on X charges against McIver of assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement, but dismissed a trespassing charge against Baraka.Catch up quick: McIver, Baraka and Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) and Rob Menendez (D-N.J.) were at the Delany Hall detention center in Newark earlier this month to protest its use as a migrant holding facility.The lawmakers argued that they were there to conduct legitimate oversight based on accusations that GEO Group, the private prison company operating the facility, lacked the proper permitting.In addition to Baraka and McIver, the FBI also arrested a Wisconsin judge last month for allegedly helping an undocumented defendant avoid arrest by ICE agents. She was indicted and pleaded not guilty this week.What to watch: House Republicans have floated additional repercussions for the three lawmakers, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) accusing them of "wildly inappropriate behavior.""I think it's pretty clear that the law was violated," the speaker said at a press conference earlier this month, floating censure, removal from committees and expulsion as possible punishments.He acknowledged the two-thirds threshold for an expulsion vote would be a difficult hurdle to clear given Democrats' unity around defending their colleagues.Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) has introduced a resolution to remove the trio from their committees.Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

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