A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Tricia McLaughlin, suggested the Trump administration may pursue arrests of House Democrats involved in a confrontation at a New Jersey Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. McLaughlin alleged that these members assaulted ICE officers, including body-slamming a female officer, and stated that body camera footage exists as evidence. Her comments followed an incident where Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was charged with trespassing while accompanying the congress members during their visit to the Delaney Hall detention facility to conduct oversight.
McLaughlin confirmed that further arrests could be likely and emphasized that the investigation is ongoing. After releasing a video on social media showing chaos at the facility, she stated that assaults against ICE officers would not be tolerated, regardless of the assailants’ status. The visiting representatives—Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver—asserted they have legal rights to conduct oversight and described the ICE’s response as intimidating and aggressive.
In rebuttal, Watson Coleman denied any allegations of violence, asserting the claims were absurd and a manipulation of facts to deflect criticism of ICE’s conduct. Menendez voiced similar sentiments about the nature of the incident, while Baraka, who directly responded to McLaughlin’s claims, labeled them as “ridiculous” and expressed skepticism about the existence of any incriminating footage.
He emphasized the absurdity of accusations against an elderly congresswoman while reaffirming that he did not trespass and plans to contest the charges legally. Responses from the U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, as well as spokespeople for the congress members, were not immediately available.
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