HANH DUONG
CALITODAY – San Jose, May 13, 2025: The Trump administration is facing growing backlash after Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is considering the arrest of three Democratic House Representatives from New Jersey: Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and LaMonica McIver.
The incident began during a visit last Friday by the lawmakers and Mayor Baraka to the ICE-run Delaney Hall detention center in New Jersey. According to DHS, the group “breached” the security perimeter just as a bus carrying detainees was arriving. One ICE officer was reportedly assaulted during the confrontation. DHS claims bodycam footage shows Rep. McIver attacking a female ICE officer — a matter now under investigation.
Mayor Baraka was handcuffed and detained for five hours. He was officially charged with trespassing. His legal team maintains he acted within his First Amendment rights and conducted himself “with dignity and restraint.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) strongly condemned DHS, accusing the agency of "public intimidation" and stating that if anyone broke the law, it was Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and “Border Czar” Tom Homan. “We won’t stay silent. They are experimenting with a new kind of authoritarianism,” she said on Instagram.
Meanwhile, DHS officials insist that no one — even elected lawmakers — is above the law. “If a regular U.S. citizen stormed a detention facility holding dangerous criminals, they’d be arrested,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin on Fox News. “The same standard applies to Congress members.”
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As of now, DHS has not confirmed whether formal charges will be filed against the three Democratic lawmakers. The agency has, however, released bodycam footage that allegedly shows Rep. McIver rushing ICE officers. The situation remains tense, with Democratic leaders warning of major consequences if the administration continues to act in what they call a "dictatorial manner."