Tensions escalate as DHS threatens arrests of House Democrats after an incident at a New Jersey ICE facility. DHS claims lawmakers assaulted officers during an oversight visit, while the Democrats firmly deny such allegations. Newark’s mayor challenges the claims, claiming they are unfounded and politically motivated.
Tensions boiled over the weekend as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hinted at potential arrests for House Democrats after a heated confrontation at a New Jersey ICE facility. This incident unfolded Friday, with DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin claiming there might be consequences for the lawmakers involved, alleging that some members of Congress assaulted officers on site.
Speaking with CNN on Saturday, McLaughlin elaborated on the claims, stating, “We actually have body camera footage of some of these members of Congress assaulting our ICE enforcement officers, including body-slamming a female ICE officer.” Her comments were made just a day after three New Jersey Democrats—Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver—visited the Delaney Hall detention facility to oversee ICE operations.
During this oversight visit, Menendez expressed concern with the behavior of the ICE agents, noting, “Throughout every step of this visit, ICE attempted to intimidate everyone involved and impede our ability to conduct oversight.” He was clearly alarmed, saying, “This is like nothing I’ve ever seen before, and I am shocked and disturbed that something like this happened in our community.”
As McLaughlin continued to discuss the situation, she mentioned that an ongoing investigation could lead to arrests for some lawmakers. “This is definitely on the table,” she suggested, implying that video evidence could support the DHS’s case. Meanwhile, McLaughlin took to social media, posting footage of the chaos outside the detention center while asserting, “We will not tolerate assault against our ICE law enforcement agents. By members of Congress or anyone else.”
In stark contrast, Watson Coleman rejected McLaughlin’s allegations, calling them absurd. She insisted, “DHS is lying because they know their agents were out of line.” This defiance resonated loudly with her words, “They can threaten us all they like, but their lies are still lies. We will not be intimidated.”
The claims of physical violence made by DHS against the Congress members did not sit well, as none of the representatives corroborated any incident of violence during their visit. McIver echoed the sentiments of her colleagues, stating that they faced “contempt, disrespect, and aggression from ICE.”
As the dust settled, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who had also been charged with trespassing during the event, outlandishly dismissed McLaughlin’s assertions. “I’m waiting for them to show a video,” he challenged. Baraka went further, pointing out that at 80, “Watson Coleman probably couldn’t lift any of them.”
Through this frayed situation, Baraka proclaimed, “None of those people body-slammed any officer,” firmly asserting his innocence regarding the charges against him, claiming, “I was not trespassing at all. I mean, we’re in court, so we’ll argue that in the court.”
All in all, this recent confrontation points to a greater divide and tension that is only getting murkier between the lawmakers and the Trump administration’s DHS. As events unfold, it remains to be seen how this debate over oversight, accountability, and the treatment of congressional representatives by federal agencies might take shape in the days to come.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
