A federal judge denied a request by Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) on Thursday to toss out charges filed against her for allegedly assaulting federal agents outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center in New Jersey earlier this year.
U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper found the congresswoman failed to show the prosecution was vindictive and that her actions were “wholly disconnected” from the oversight she claims she was conducting as a member of Congress.
McIver asked the judge to dismiss the case because her visit to Newark’s Delaney Hall immigration detention center on May 9 was protected by constitutional legislative immunity.
The New Jersey representative claims she was targeted by the Trump administration for “doing her job” by holding the administration accountable.
“We all know why this is happening,” McIver said outside the courtroom on Oct. 21. “I’m clear why this is happening: It’s because I was doing my job and I continue to do so.”
McIver did not return a request for comment about Thursday’s decision by the time of publication.
Hellbound and Down 