House Republican Moves to Censure, Remove Democrat Indicted in ICE Facility Confrontation
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) has introduced a resolution calling to censure New Jersey Democrat LaMonica McIver, who was indicted in May for allegedly obstructing federal agents during an immigration facility visit. Higgins is also demanding McIver’s removal from the House Homeland Security Committee, citing a “significant conflict of interest” given the serious charges she faces.
McIver was indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts related to a May 9 incident at Newark’s Delaney Hall Immigration Facility. Prosecutors allege she assaulted and interfered with federal officers while trying to block the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who had entered a secured area of the facility during an official oversight visit that coincided with a protest.
According to the Justice Department, when agents tried to arrest Mayor Baraka, McIver allegedly wrapped her arms around him, struck one officer with her forearm, and grabbed another. McIver has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial on November 10.
Higgins’ resolution invokes House rules requiring members to “behave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House,” arguing McIver’s conduct falls far short of that standard. He told Axios he delayed introducing the resolution to allow Democrats time to act but emphasized, “She should not be participating on the committee that oversees the very branch of government she’s accused of violating.”
McIver has vehemently denied the charges, accusing the Trump administration and its allies of politically motivated prosecution. “They’ve weaponized the federal government… Anyone who stands up to them ends up here,” she said after her arraignment. In response to the censure effort, McIver called Higgins a “bigot who wants to be back in the news” and dismissed the resolution as a political attack aimed at punishing her for doing her oversight duties.
House Republicans maintain that indicted members must relinquish all committee assignments, while Democrats currently require only indicted lawmakers to step down from leadership roles. The showdown raises sharp questions about accountability, political posturing, and the balance of power in Congress.