Rep. Nancy Mace Moves to Expel Fellow Congresswoman After Arrest at ICE Protest
South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace has introduced a bold resolution to expel New Jersey Democrat LaMonica McIver following her recent arrest during a protest at a federal immigration detention center.
On Wednesday, Mace publicly condemned McIver’s actions at the Newark-area Delaney Hall detention facility, where McIver was charged with assaulting law enforcement officers while protesting. “On May 9th, McIver didn’t just break the law, she attacked the very people who defend it,” Mace said. “Assaulting Homeland Security and ICE agents isn’t just disgraceful, it’s assault. If any other American did what she did, they’d be in handcuffs.”
Mace emphasized that McIver’s status as a member of Congress does not grant her immunity. “She should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Mace declared, calling for swift action to uphold accountability in the House.
The Incident and Charges
Federal prosecutors announced on Monday that McIver faces charges of “assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement” during the protest earlier this month. McIver and two other members of Congress were at Delaney Hall, claiming to conduct official oversight duties.
According to law enforcement, McIver allegedly “slammed her forearm into the body of a uniformed immigration official” while attempting to restrain him. She also reportedly blocked officers from arresting Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who was later released after his charges were dropped. In addition, McIver allegedly pushed and struck an ICE officer with her forearms during the confrontation.
Calls for Accountability
Mace’s resolution highlights previous House precedents for expelling members charged with serious crimes. She stressed the importance of maintaining public trust in government, saying, “The charges are serious. The public deserves to know that criminal conduct in the halls of Congress has consequences.”
McIver’s Response
McIver appeared virtually before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on Wednesday, where she was granted bail and released on her own recognizance. She is restricted to domestic travel unless she notifies the government in advance for work-related international trips. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 11.
Speaking on CNN, McIver dismissed the charges as “absurd” and insisted she was fulfilling her congressional duty. “We have done this before. It’s our obligation to oversee these facilities,” she said. “The entire situation was escalated by ICE. They caused the confrontation and chaos. It was unnecessary.”
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McIver warned that charging lawmakers for oversight work could have dangerous implications. “If I’m going to be charged with a crime for doing my job, it speaks volumes about where we’re headed as leaders in this country,” she added.
What’s Next?
Fox News Digital has reached out to McIver’s office for comment on Mace’s resolution. The political and legal fallout is sure to continue as this case moves through the courts, shining a spotlight on tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and congressional oversight.
Source: FOX News – Mace files resolution to expel House Democrat after her arrest at ICE detention facility protest
