Press Releases

Yesterday, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), joined by members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), held a joint press conference to denounce the politically motivated and baseless criminal charges filed against Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) by the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. 

Watch the full press conference on YouTube.  

The press conference featured remarks from:

• Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Chair, Congressional Black Caucus
• Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Chair, Democratic Women’s Caucus
• Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35), Chair, Congressional Progressive Caucus
• Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
• Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-06)

Below are quotes from the press conference:

"Members of Congress have every right to conduct oversight at ICE facilities or any other Federal agency. And, when egregious, undeniable, and vicious violations of the law and people’s freedoms are taking place, they – in fact – have an obligation to do so," said Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09). "No matter how many attempts this administration makes to intimidate Congress, local leaders, the federal workforce, or anyone who stands up against the Trump regime, you should know our resolve is only deepened by this disgusting attack. And if you want to get to LaMonica, you’re going to have to go through a hell of a lot of us first. You do not have the capacity to scare us." 

“We stand with Congresswoman LaMonica McIver the same way we stand with every citizen of the United States,” said Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “I want to recognize the Members who went to New Jersey to do their job and fulfill their constitutional duty. They were met with masked and armed ICE agents. Imagine the force that was raised against them, just because they went to do their job. So we are going to stand with all the representatives, wherever you are, to do your job to hold this administration accountable. We stand with you. Because if Trump can come for a Member of Congress who is doing her job of oversight of the administration, who is safe?” 

“Donald Trump's Department of Justice filing baseless charges against a member of Congress for simply doing her job should send a chill down the spine of every American,” said Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar. “If the President will weaponize the Department of Justice against elected officials who oppose him, then no American is safe from his abuse of power.”

“These charges are clearly unfounded. Representative McIver was exercising her legally protected authority as a member of Congress to conduct oversight of a detention center that receives millions of taxpayer dollars. Federal officials unnecessarily escalated what should have been a run-of-the-mill inspection of the facility. In fact, Representative McIver’s actions were so unremarkable that she was invited back inside to finish her tour that day, after these events took place. Pursuing this case against Representative McIver will divert considerable resources away from serious matters of public safety. The Department of Justice should drop these charges immediately,” said Senator Cory Booker.  

“If Trump’s DOJ can criminalize Congresswoman McIver for conducting lawful oversight at an ICE facility in Newark, then no Member of Congress is safe from political retaliation,” said Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ). “I stand with Congresswoman McIver, the Constitution, and every Member who refuses to be intimidated and I won’t back down.”