A House Republican has introduced a resolution seeking to formally censure Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) following her recent federal indictment tied to a confrontation at an immigration detention facility earlier this year.
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) filed the measure, which urges the House to vote on censuring McIver and calls for her removal from the House Committee on Homeland Security. The resolution argues her continued service on the panel — which oversees federal immigration enforcement — poses a conflict of interest due to the pending criminal case.
“Her role on this committee is incompatible with the seriousness of the charges against her,” the resolution states, citing House rules requiring members to act in a manner that reflects creditably on the chamber.
In a sharp response, McIver blasted the move as political theater.
“Clay Higgins is a bigot who wants to be back in the news,” McIver told Axios via a spokesperson. “This resolution aims to kick me off the committee that presides over the Department of Homeland Security and shame me for doing the oversight work that is my job. Good luck, Clay.”
Incident at Newark ICE Facility Sparks Indictment
McIver was indicted last month on three federal charges for allegedly assaulting and obstructing federal officers during a May 9 visit to the Delaney Hall Federal Immigration Facility in Newark, New Jersey. According to the Department of Justice, McIver and two fellow lawmakers were on an official congressional oversight tour, which coincided with an ongoing immigration protest outside the facility.
Tensions escalated when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka reportedly entered a secured area of the facility without authorization. Federal officers attempted to detain Baraka, but McIver allegedly intervened — wrapping her arms around the mayor, slamming her forearm into one officer, and grabbing another as she blocked their efforts.
Body camera footage released by DHS appears to show McIver in a red outfit during the confrontation.
McIver Denies Wrongdoing, Says Charges Are Politically Motivated
McIver pleaded not guilty to all charges and accused the Trump administration of politicizing the Justice Department.
“This is all about political intimidation,” McIver said following her court appearance. “The Trump administration and his colleagues — or cronies, or whatever you want to call them — have weaponized the federal government. They’ve weaponized the Department of Justice, and anyone who stands up to them ends up where I am today.”
Her trial is scheduled to begin on November 10.
GOP Seeks Action Before Congressional Recess
Rep. Higgins told Axios he waited until just before Congress’s five-week summer recess to see whether House Democrats would voluntarily remove McIver from her committee assignment. House GOP rules mandate indicted members step down from all committee posts, while House Democrats only require indicted lawmakers to relinquish leadership roles.
“She shouldn’t be sitting on the committee that oversees the very federal agency she’s been indicted for interfering with,” Higgins said.
McIver, a freshman representative and member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, remains defiant as her legal battle continues.
