DOJ Charges McIver with Violent Attack at New Jersey ICE Facility; House Expulsion Looms
Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) on Wednesday introduced a formal resolution to expel Democrat Rep. LaMonica McIver from the U.S. House of Representatives after the Department of Justice charged McIver with assaulting and impeding federal ICE agents during a chaotic confrontation at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
The expulsion resolution comes just one day after U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced McIver had been federally charged under 18 U.S. Code § 111(a)(1) for physically interfering with law enforcement officers — a serious federal offense.
“No one is above the law — politicians or otherwise,” Habba said during the announcement.
“I Touch Whoever I Want!”: McIver Caught on Tape in Violent Altercation
According to eyewitness accounts and video footage, Rep. McIver was part of a Democrat delegation visiting Delaney Hall on Friday for what was billed as an “inspection.” The visit reportedly devolved into a security breach and violent altercation. In the chaos, McIver was caught laying hands on ICE agents while shouting:
“I touch whoever I want, motherf*er!”**
The DOJ confirmed that her conduct met the threshold for criminal interference with federal officers — prompting swift legal action and political backlash.
Mace Cites George Santos Precedent
Rep. Mace’s resolution points to the 2023 expulsion of GOP Rep. George Santos — who was removed before being convicted — as precedent for immediate congressional action when Members are charged with serious crimes.
“The House has already set a precedent for expelling Members charged, but not yet convicted, of serious criminal offenses,” Mace’s resolution states.
In her press release, Mace declared:
“Violence against law enforcement by a sitting Member of Congress is not just a disgrace — it is disqualifying. If George Santos could be expelled before a conviction, so can McIver.”
Next Steps: Will Democrats Defend Her?
The resolution to expel McIver sets up a dramatic showdown in Congress. With the House narrowly divided, Democrats will now be forced to decide whether to defend a colleague charged with assaulting federal agents, or break ranks and join Republicans in enforcing consequences.
Public pressure is mounting, with many demanding accountability after footage of the violent outburst circulated online.
Political Fallout Grows
The incident is already fueling political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, the Biden administration’s handling of ICE, and the increasing radicalization of some Democrat Members who are seen as hostile to law enforcement.
If passed, Mace’s resolution would make LaMonica McIver the second sitting Member of Congress expelled in the last two years — and the first Democrat in decades to be removed for criminal behavior.
This story is developing.