A House Republican has put forth a resolution to censure New Jersey Democrat LaMonica McIver, who was indicted in May for allegedly obstructing federal agents during a visit to an immigration facility.<\/p>\n
Rep. Clay Higgins of Louisiana is also advocating for McIver\u2019s removal from the House Homeland Security Committee, as reported by Fox News.<\/p>\n
The resolution asserts that her ongoing participation on the committee would represent a \u201csignificant conflict of interest\u201d in light of the charges she is facing.<\/p>\n
McIver was indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts, which include assaulting and interfering with officers during an incident on May 9 at the Delaney Hall Immigration Facility in Newark.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the resolution references House rules that mandate members to \u201cbehave at all times in a manner that shall reflect creditably on the House,\u201d contending that McIver\u2019s actions do not meet this standard.<\/p>\n
During the incident, McIver and two other lawmakers were engaged in an official oversight visit that coincided with a protest.<\/p>\n
According to the Justice Department, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka entered a restricted area within the facility. Federal agents instructed him to vacate the premises, and when they attempted to arrest him, McIver allegedly intervened.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors allege that she wrapped her arms around the mayor, struck one officer with her forearm, and grabbed another officer. McIver has pleaded not guilty and is set to stand trial on November 10.<\/p>\n
Following her arraignment, she accused the Trump administration and its supporters of weaponizing the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, this is all about political intimidation,\u201d she asserted. \u201cThey\u2019ve weaponized the federal government. They\u2019ve weaponized the DOJ. And anyone who stands up to them or criticizes them ends up here.<\/p>\n
In a statement to Axios, McIver, who is black, predictably reacted to the push for censure by labeling Higgins a \u201cbigot who seeks to regain media attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis resolution is intended to remove me from the committee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security and to shame me for fulfilling my oversight responsibilities,\u201d she stated. \u201cGood luck, Clay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Higgins informed Axios that he postponed the resolution until the commencement of Congress\u2019s five-week recess to allow Democrats the opportunity to expel McIver from her committee.<\/p>\n
House Republicans mandate that indicted members relinquish all committee roles. In contrast, Democrats only require indicted lawmakers to forfeit leadership positions.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe should not be involved in the committee that possesses oversight and voting power over the federal government branch she has been indicted for allegedly committing crimes against,\u201d Higgins remarked.<\/p>\n
In June, federal officials disclosed new details concerning the temporary arrest of a New York state Democrat during a confrontation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
ICE agents apprehended state Comptroller Brad Lander, a candidate for New York City mayor, after he reportedly assaulted one of them while attempting to obstruct the arrest of a suspected illegal immigrant. Lander persistently insisted that agents present a \u201cjudicial warrant\u201d to validate their actions.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou lack the authority to detain U.S. citizens requesting a judicial warrant,\u201d Lander exclaimed at one point.<\/p>\n
Left-wing \u201cSquad\u201d Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York remarked, \u201cHe requested ICE for their warrant \u2014 entirely within his legal rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Washington Times reported that \u201cexperts indicated that he misunderstood immigration law. Immigration enforcement, especially within the country\u2019s interior, is typically a civil matter with deportation as the penalty.<\/p>\n
\u201cICE deportation officers executing those arrests operate under administrative warrants, not judicial warrants, as there is no criminal charge but merely an allegation of illegal activity.<\/p>\n