
<p>New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver has been arrested and charged with “assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement.” It was the result of her actions outside the Newark, New Jersey Delaney Hall ICE Detention Center. She said she was on the scene of her Congressional Oversight Committee responsibilities.</p>



<p>Also on scene were two other members of Congress and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. ; No charges have been brought against the other members. ; Baraka was arrested at the scene but released without being charged.</p>



<p>So why McIver?</p>



<p>It was the videos. McIver was clearly seen pushing back at ICE officers (against the law) &#8230; using her elbows to hit an officer (against the law) &#8230; and in one case, body slamming an agent from behind (against the law). She is said to have interfered with officers as they arrested Baraka (against the law).</p>



<p>Democrat lawmakers were quick to come to McIver’s defense. Minnesota Governor Walz said that ICE is an American Gestapo. (Will they never stop with the Nazi references?) Others claimed that McIver was merely performing her official duties. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the charges “extreme, morally bankrupt and lacking any basis in law and fact.” He added that, “There is no credible evidence that Rep. McIver engaged in any criminal activity, and she would not have been permitted to tour the facility had she done anything wrong.”</p>



<p>Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett said, “Let me be very clear. ; This is what the weaponization of government looks like.” ; Representative Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, declared that “These bogus charges are nothing short of a cowardly attempt to intimidate members of Congress from holding this administration accountable.”</p>



<p>(Apparently, none of these folks saw the video.)</p>



<p>Most of the defenders claimed that McIver was within her rights as a member of Congress to perform “oversight.” ; California Congressman Pete Aguilar, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, claimed that “Members of Congress have a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight of the executive branch wherever and whenever it is needed” &#8212; and that they “are lawfully permitted to show up at any federal facility unannounced to conduct an inspection on behalf of the American people.” ; (For the record, that is simply not true. ; ; Even members of Congress are not allowed to assault law enforcement officers or to forcibly enter restricted areas.)</p>



<p>Honest folks can have different opinions as to what happened outside the detention center – but not so easy to deny what was recorded on videos. In the final analysis, however, it may be up to a jury to decide – if the case gets that far.</p>



<p>What is more disturbing than the possible culpability of McIver is the response from her defenders. ; They are kicking the rule-of-law to the side of the road in favor of a cultural narrative that people involved in left-wing protests ARE above the law. Over the years, we have seen innumerable examples of protestors breaking the law without consequence. ; ; The right to peacefully protest has limits – and they are codified in our laws.</p>



<p>The videos are compelling evidence that McIver may have broken laws. ; Now the question is whether she will be held accountable. ; ICE and the Department of Justice are not abusing power but restoring the rule-of-law from which no person is &#8212; or should be – exempted.</p>



<p>If convicted of the felony charges, McIver could receive up to eight years in prison. ; Of course, we know that would never happen –and should not happen. ; It is unlikely that she will serve any time in the hoosegow – although I think a couple weeks might be appropriate. ;</p>



<p>You can rest assured that McIver is likely to get off easy. ; Even if convicted, McIver still enjoys cultural privilege or advantage as a Black &#8230; a woman &#8230; and a member of Congress. ; ;</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

If Congresswoman McIver broke the law … she needs to be held accountable
