Democratic lawmakers justified their “storming” of an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, citing President Donald Trump’s administration as “weaponizing law enforcement.”
Representatives LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rob Menendez, all Democrats from New Jersey, made the remarks during a joint appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday.
“Chaos ensued when someone on the phone above the leaders of ICE who were with us at that facility instructed them to go out of the facility, go to the private property and lock the mayor of the largest city in the state of New Jersey up,” according to Coleman.
“That is absurd.” That is un-American. That is scary. That’s a determined effort to intimidate people in this country,” she added, claiming the administration is “lying at all levels.”
Last week, the three lawmakers stormed the Delaney Hall Detention Center in Newark, which was captured on video. Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, was also present and arrested on trespassing charges. Authorities claim that an ICE agent was assaulted during the confrontation, which was captured on camera.
McIver addressed allegations from the Department of Homeland Security that she “body slammed” law enforcement officers during the incident.
“I honestly don’t know how to body slam someone. “There is no video that shows me body slamming anyone,” she told CNN’s Dana Bash.
Mendez argued that it was the responsibility of ICE officers and other law enforcement to keep the situation under control.
“There were numerous opportunities for DHS and ICE to deescalate the situation. “They chose not to,” Menendez explained. “It’s something that should really shock all Americans.”
While the lawmakers opposed ICE detentions, they also admitted that they saw evidence that the inmates were well-treated and living in comfortable conditions inside the facility.
In a press conference following the incident, McIver claimed she was “assaulted by multiple ICE officers while regional directors of ICE watched it happen.”
DHS footage posted to X Saturday appears to show McIver running unabated through law enforcement near the gate.
“WATCH: US Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (wearing a red blazer), storms the gate of Delaney Hall Detention Center ASSAULTING an ICE agent,” the DHS video’s caption read.
DHS officials have not confirmed any pending charges against the individuals accused of storming the center.
