Dem lawmakers defend storming of ICE facility, say Trump admin is lying at all levels

Published: Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 5:04 pm

**Democrats Defend ICE Facility "Storming," Accuse Trump Administration of Lying**

A group of Democratic lawmakers is defending their actions last week at an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, calling their actions justified and accusing the Trump administration of dishonesty. Representatives LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Rob Menendez, all from New Jersey, spoke on CNN's "State of the Union" to address the incident at the Delaney Hall Detention Center.

The lawmakers claim they were responding to what they perceived as the administration's efforts to "weaponize law enforcement." Coleman described the situation as "absurd," "un-American," and "scary," alleging the administration aims to intimidate people. The incident, captured on video, involved the lawmakers entering the facility, leading to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on trespassing charges. Authorities also allege an ICE agent was assaulted during the confrontation.

McIver denied accusations of "body slamming" law enforcement officers, stating there is no video evidence to support the claim. Menendez argued that ICE officers had opportunities to de-escalate the situation but chose not to. Despite their objections to ICE detentions, the lawmakers acknowledged they observed inmates being treated well and living in good conditions.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released footage on X (formerly Twitter) that appears to show McIver approaching law enforcement near the gate. DHS has not yet confirmed any pending charges.

BNN's Perspective:

The situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. While the lawmakers' concerns about the administration's actions are understandable, the optics of "storming" a federal facility, regardless of the intent, are problematic. A more measured approach, focusing on oversight and dialogue, might have been more effective in achieving their goals while avoiding the appearance of confrontation. The conflicting accounts and the video evidence underscore the need for a thorough investigation to determine the facts and ensure accountability.

Keywords:

ICE facility, Newark, New Jersey, Democrats, LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, Trump administration, "storming," Delaney Hall Detention Center, Ras Baraka, trespassing, DHS, immigration, law enforcement, assault, video, investigation, oversight, detention, political controversy

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