Habba, the Acting U.S. Attorney, stated that the indictment reflects the Justice Department's commitment to prosecuting officials who obstruct immigration enforcement.

U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly assaulting immigration officers during a congressional oversight visit at a New Jersey detention center.

The incident escalated when ICE agents arrested Newark Mayor Baraka, which McIver claims contributed to an unsafe confrontation.

Video evidence reportedly shows McIver encouraging protesters to surround the mayor and allegedly making contact with an officer, although the intent of the contact remains unclear.

McIver was part of a delegation that included fellow New Jersey Democratic Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman and Robert Menendez Jr., who were conducting oversight visits permitted under federal law.

Members of Congress, including McIver, have the legal authority to enter federal immigration facilities for oversight purposes, as established by a 2019 appropriations bill.

The indictment has sparked significant public and political discourse regarding the rights of lawmakers to conduct oversight and the treatment of immigrants in detention facilities.

Prominent Democrats, including Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim, have expressed support for McIver, emphasizing concerns about the implications of the indictment for congressional oversight.

The situation raises broader concerns about the motivations behind the prosecution and potential backlash against the Justice Department's actions.

While the Justice Department typically has a high success rate in federal prosecutions, McIver's case is complicated by unique circumstances and political implications.

McIver's attorney, Paul Fishman, argues that the chaotic nature of the encounter and the absence of an immediate arrest indicate that the charges are unfounded.

Trump's comments regarding McIver, in contrast to his past pardons of individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, may further complicate the prosecution's position.