The Department of Homeland Security is actively investigating an incident involving three Democratic members of Congress at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Newark, according to a statement from DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin.
The lawmakers — Reps. LaMonica McIver, Robert Menendez Jr., and Bonnie Watson Coleman — are under scrutiny following a chaotic confrontation that occurred at the site, with the possibility of arrests still on the table.
The incident has drawn widespread attention following a televised interview Friday on CNN, where the three representatives defended their actions during the disruption.
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They denied engaging in any physical altercations with law enforcement and asserted they were the victims of aggression.
Rep. McIver addressed a specific allegation from DHS that she had “body slammed” a federal agent.
“I honestly do not know how to body slam anyone. There’s no video that supports me body slamming anyone,” she said during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash.
However, footage of the incident aired by CNN appeared to show Rep. McIver elbowing her way through a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent.
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The same clip shows additional pushing and loud confrontations between the lawmakers and federal officials who were stationed at the facility gate.
Responding to DHS accusing her of “body slamming” an ICE officer, @RepLaMonica tells @DanaBashCNN, “I honestly do not know how to body slam anyone. There’s no video that supports me body slamming anyone.”@RepMenendez says, “There were a lot of opportunities for DHS, for ICE to… pic.twitter.com/Fhfpq06jHq
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) May 11, 2025
At one point in the video, around 21 seconds in, a frame captures what appears to be McIver’s fist making contact with the shoulder of an ICE officer.
Let’s check the tape. https://t.co/1S66cGSxct pic.twitter.com/LqEFhTrnYl
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 11, 2025
In the following moments, Rep. Menendez is seen placing a hand on McIver’s arm as both of their arms move in what appears to be a scuffle.
The Department of Homeland Security has not confirmed the identities of individuals involved in each moment of the incident but has emphasized that the video evidence is part of the ongoing investigation.
Rep. Menendez, also interviewed on CNN, claimed that the agents involved wore “no identification” and accused DHS personnel of failing to de-escalate the confrontation.
These claims have been contradicted by video evidence, which clearly shows federal agents wearing marked clothing labeled “HSI,” “ICE,” or “Police.”
In addition, footage shows agents attempting to maintain order and protect Rep. Watson Coleman as tensions escalated near the entrance gate.
Some individuals from a protest group that accompanied the lawmakers attempted to follow them past the secured gate, further complicating the situation.
Agents are seen on video forming a barrier and separating individuals while guiding lawmakers back behind the line.
In response to the lawmakers’ public denials, DHS issued a brief statement, saying, “Let’s check the tape.”
Let’s check the tape. https://t.co/1S66cGSxct pic.twitter.com/LqEFhTrnYl
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) May 11, 2025
The agency has not provided an official timeline for the conclusion of its internal investigation but indicated that legal action remains a possibility.
“The department is actively investigating what occurred,” said McLaughlin. “Arrests are definitely on the table.”
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin warned that federal arrests of House Democrats “were on the table” and likely “coming.”
“We have body cam footage of some of these members of Congress assaulting our ICE enforcement officers, including body slamming… pic.twitter.com/lSRNetLy1G
— Rob (@_ROB_29) May 10, 2025
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No formal charges have been filed as of Monday morning. House leadership has not issued a public comment on the conduct of the members involved.
The Newark ICE facility has remained operational, with DHS reiterating that safety procedures and federal property protections will be enforced during all future visits.
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If ordinary citizens had done this there would already be arrests made. This preferential treatment must stop. This is clearly an incident of lawless insurrection. These people interfered with the operation of government employees in an effort to prevent the lawful exercise of government work. This is by definition insurrection. Get every person at that gate who in any way attempted to get in the way and send them to Guantanamo without a lawyer.
People that break laws and rules always have some sort of rational in their mind. Just watch all the youtube videos of it. Makes me wonder how they got that way.
Do not announce any arrests on these Dim Dem Congressman law breakers!
I want to see film of 5am SWAT Team raids on them in their homes that result in their arrests and perp walks in their jammies. Then tear their homes apart doing SEARCHES for all electronics and other evidence of collusion and coordination!
Should have arrested everyone, including lawmakers. Performing legal Constitutional duties would not have involved lawmakers pushing officers. This is insurrection, plain and simple. Arrest them all.