Federal appeals court declines to dismiss criminal charges against US congresswoman
LaMonica McIver, a Democrat from New Jersey, was charged with interfering with an arrest in May 2025 at ICE facility
TL;DR
- A federal appeals court has refused to dismiss criminal charges against US Congresswoman LaMonica McIver.
- McIver was charged with interfering with an arrest in May 2025 outside an immigration detention facility.
- She argued she was immune from prosecution under the speech and debate clause for performing her job duties.
- The appellate court ruled in a 2-1 decision that her actions were 'non-legislative'.
- McIver stated the decision 'chills' oversight authority and emboldens the administration to persecute those who hold it accountable.
- The charges stem from an incident where she allegedly interfered with the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka during a facility inspection.
- The incident involved McIver reportedly shouting and making contact with agents during a scuffle.