Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D, NJ-10) pleaded “not guilty” in federal court on Wednesday following a three-count indictment secured by interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
The freshman Democrat is accused of assaulting an immigration enforcement officer during a fateful protest-turned-mini riot outside of the Newark, New Jersey Delaney Hall ICE detainment facility.
“I just left court and pleaded not guilty—because I am not guilty,” McIver explained on X. “We will fight this. Trump’s admin won’t intimidate me or stop me from doing my job. To all who stand up to this administration—do not back down. The facts are on our side. I look forward to the next time in court.”
“During her continued attempts to thwart the arrest, McIver slammed her forearm into the body of one law enforcement officer and also reached out and tried to restrain that officer by forcibly grabbing him,” the Department of Justice alleged in its post-indictment press release. “McIver also used each of her forearms to forcibly strike a second officer.”
Video from the scene show McIver, sporting a bright red jacket, clearly shoving her arm into another individual:
