Democrats Fight With ICE Gets Uglier
GOP Slams ‘Lawless Behavior’ as ICE Agents Confront Congressional Democrats
Tensions flared at a New Jersey immigration detention center as three Democrat lawmakers—Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver—were accused of instigating a physical confrontation with federal agents during what Homeland Security officials describe as a “political stunt.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem didn’t mince words. She called the incident a “felony-level breach” of federal law and demanded Congress take swift disciplinary action—either by censuring the lawmakers or removing them from their committee assignments.
“This wasn’t oversight. It was lawlessness,” Noem said. “They endangered officers, staff, and detainees at the facility.”
ICE Agents Targeted During Chaotic Clash at Delaney Hall Detention Center
The Friday incident at Delaney Hall spiraled out of control when the three Democrat lawmakers, joined by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka—a Democrat and declared candidate for governor—entered a restricted area without authorization. Baraka was later arrested for trespassing.
While Democrats claim they were conducting legitimate oversight, Homeland Security officials and ICE agents say the group stormed the facility gates and broke through a secure area. Bodycam footage and eyewitness accounts suggest the scene turned confrontational, with lawmakers refusing to comply with orders.
Democrats Cry Foul, GOP Demands Accountability
Democrats are calling the arrests and accusations “political retaliation,” but Republicans say the behavior crossed serious legal and ethical lines. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) said the conduct amounted to “an assault on law enforcement,” while Rep. William Timmons (R-S.C.) introduced a formal resolution to censure McIver.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called the actions “a new low” and said House leadership is weighing consequences for what he labeled as anti-law enforcement behavior.
Video Shows Pushes, Shouting as Officers Try to Maintain Control
Video clips show McIver physically resisting an officer and Watson Coleman accusing agents of illegally arresting the mayor on public property. McIver shouted at officers, telling them not to touch her or her colleague. Meanwhile, Rep. Menendez is seen trying to intervene in the escalating scuffle.
Despite claims of peaceful oversight, Homeland Security maintains the group “stormed the gate” and violated security protocols. Secretary Noem also criticized McIver specifically, noting she sits on the very committee responsible for overseeing ICE operations.
Democrat Leaders Issue Warnings to Trump Administration
The backlash from the left has been fierce. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) warned that if the administration presses charges, “we are going to have a problem.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed that, calling the idea of arrests “a red line.”
But critics say the left is trying to use intimidation tactics to dodge accountability, especially as DHS confirms the lawmakers refused to follow basic security procedures.
Republicans Call for Respect for Law and Order
While a few Republicans, like Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), urged caution before making arrests, even he acknowledged that “disrupting law enforcement is serious business.”
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, didn’t hold back.
“This behavior is utterly unbecoming of a U.S. citizen, let alone a member of Congress. Democrats love to talk about law and order—until it’s time to follow the law themselves.”
Noem: ‘Had They Asked, We’d Have Given Them the Tour’
Secretary Noem told lawmakers that if the Democrats had simply followed procedure and requested a tour, none of this would have happened. She blasted the attempt to turn ICE oversight into a photo-op for political gain.
“Oversight isn’t barging into a facility and creating chaos,” she said. “It’s about working with agencies, not attacking them.”
Bottom Line for Conservative Readers:
This incident lays bare how far radical Democrats are willing to go to undermine law enforcement, even ICE agents protecting our borders. The double standards are blatant, and GOP lawmakers are right to demand accountability. If members of Congress can break into a federal facility without consequence, what message does that send to the American people?
