US Democratic Congresswoman LaMonica McIver has been indicted for “forcibly impeding and interfering” with federal law enforcement over a recent confrontation outside an immigration centre.
A scuffle occurred during her visit to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) centre in Newark, New Jersey, on 9 May.
The incident drew widespread attention, as it unfolded at a time when the Republican administration of US President Donald Trump has faced sharp criticism from opposing Democrats over its hard-line approach to immigration.
Ms McIver, who faces a maximum term of 17 years in prison, has called the charges a “brazen attempt at political intimidation” and says she will plead not guilty.
A federal grand jury in New Jersey brought the three-count indictment against Ms McIver on Tuesday. It replaces the two assault charges that she previously faced.
Archived at https://web.archive.org/web/20250611122745/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2qzwrv26zo
I’m sure a bunch of aides are furiously typing up letters stating their disapproval and concern at this very moment. A show of force like that ought to get Trump to back down.