{"id":2618504,"date":"2026-06-24T12:32:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T16:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeals-court-weighs-mcivers-bid-to-toss-assault-charges\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T12:34:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T16:34:05","slug":"appeals-court-weighs-mcivers-bid-to-toss-assault-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/appeals-court-weighs-mcivers-bid-to-toss-assault-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Appeals court weighs McIver&#8217;s bid to toss assault charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fappeals-court-weighs-mcivers-bid-to-toss-assault-charges%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2618504&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-court-is-fast-tracking-sidney-powells-request-for-a-forensic-exam-of-dominion-voting-machines\/\" title=\"Federal Court Is Fast-Tracking Sidney Powell\u2019s Request For A Forensic Exam Of Dominion Voting Machines\">federal appeals court<\/a> recently heard arguments<\/a> regarding the prosecution of Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) over her actions during a protest outside an ICE detention facility in Newark. McIver is charged with assaulting federal officers and interfering with their arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in May 2025. She claims her conduct was protected under the Constitution\u2019s speech or debate clause, arguing it was part of her legislative oversight duties. The Justice Department, however, contends that her actions do not fall under this protection.The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/scotus-to-hear-case-on-shielding-kids-from-lgbt-ideology\/\" title=\"SCOTUS To Hear ... On Shielding Kids From LGBT Ideology\">case raises meaningful questions<\/a> about congressional immunity and the limits of legislative protections, especially in situations involving violence or interference with law enforcement. The court&#8217;s decision, expected in the coming months, could impact the extent of legal immunities for lawmakers engaging in oversight activities. Several House democrats have publicly supported McIver, condemning the case as politically motivated. The panel of judges includes appointees from different administrations, and a ruling could either dismiss the charges or allow the prosecution to proceed.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A federal appeals court on Wednesday heard arguments from Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a> over whether the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\">New Jersey<\/a> Democrat\u2019s assault prosecution should be thrown out before trial, setting up a major test of congressional immunity and executive branch authority.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit convened in Wilmington, Delaware, to consider McIver\u2019s effort to dismiss federal charges stemming from a confrontation outside the Delaney Hall <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, last year.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4620701\/doj-healthcare-fraud-crackdown-record-charges\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOJ uncovers $6.5 billion healthcare fraud and charges record 455 defendants<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4620702\/texas-antifa-cell-ringleader-100-years-prison-terrorism\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Texas antifa cell ringleader sentenced to 100 years in federal prison over terrorism attack<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4620578\/biden-rule-allowed-indefinite-deportation-case-closures-blocked\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge blocks Biden-era rule that allowed indefinite closures of deportation cases<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), center, demands the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka after his arrest while protesting outside Delaney Hall ICE detention facility, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. (AP Photo\/Angelina Katsanis)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/06\/localimages\/AP25129759242408.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), center, demands the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) after his arrest while protesting outside Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. (Angelina Katsanis\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">McIver, a first-term Democrat from Newark, faces two felony counts and one misdemeanor count accusing her of assaulting and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ethics-investigation-demanded-after-democrats-storm-ice-prison\/\" title=\"Ethics investigation demanded after Democrats storm ICE prison\">impeding federal officers<\/a> during the May 9, 2025, incident at the ICE facility last year. Federal prosecutors allege she attempted to interfere with the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) and pushed officers during the chaotic confrontation.  <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The appeal follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper, an appointee of former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\">Joe Biden<\/a>, who rejected McIver\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3885915\/judge-denies-lamonica-mciver-bid-toss-charges-over-immigration-facility-scuffle\/\">effort to dismiss the indictment<\/a> on constitutional and prosecutorial misconduct grounds last November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the center of Wednesday\u2019s hearing was McIver\u2019s argument that her actions occurred while carrying out a congressional oversight visit and are protected by the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/constitution\/\">Constitution\u2019s<\/a> speech or debate clause, which shields lawmakers from prosecution for legitimate legislative acts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her attorneys have argued that allowing the case to proceed would chill congressional oversight and undermine the separation of powers by exposing lawmakers to criminal liability for performing official duties.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> has urged the appeals court to reject that argument, contending that the speech or debate clause does not extend to alleged acts of violence. In its <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.ca3.126981\/gov.uscourts.ca3.126981.45.0.pdf\">appellate brief<\/a>, the government framed the dispute as a straightforward question of whether members of Congress can claim immunity for allegedly assaulting federal officers. Prosecutors argued that McIver\u2019s charges arose from \u201cattempts to prevent those officers from arresting Newark\u2019s mayor\u201d and from allegedly pushing an officer while reentering the facility.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The government also argued that the appeals court lacks jurisdiction to review several of McIver\u2019s additional claims immediately, including allegations of selective and vindictive prosecution. Prosecutors maintain that McIver failed to show similarly situated politicians were treated differently and failed to provide evidence that prosecutors acted out of political animus.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">McIver has argued the prosecution is politically motivated and tied to her outspoken opposition to the Trump administration\u2019s immigration enforcement policies. She has repeatedly characterized the case as an attempt to criminalize congressional oversight, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.ca3.126981\/gov.uscourts.ca3.126981.51.0.pdf\">according<\/a> to her brief at the 3rd Circuit.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before entering court on Wednesday, McIver wrote on social media that President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> \u201cwants to lock me up for 17 years for doing my job\u201d and said she was fighting to hold the administration accountable for its immigration policies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/house\/\">House<\/a> Democrats, including Reps. Jamie Raskin (MD), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Jasmine Crockett (TX), Terri Sewell (AL), and Delia Ramirez (IL), publicly expressed support for McIver ahead of the hearing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The three-judge panel did not immediately rule from the bench. The judges weighing her case were Stephanos Bibas, an appointee of Trump; Cindy Chung, a Biden appointee; and Thomas Ambro, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4622162\/biden-judge-ice-arrests-immigration-courts\/\">BIDEN-APPOINTED JUDGE RIPPED AFTER BLOCKING ICE ARRESTS AT IMMIGRATION COURTS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A decision is expected in the coming months and could determine whether McIver proceeds to a criminal trial or succeeds in ending the prosecution before a jury hears the case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A ruling in her favor would mark a significant expansion of protections available to lawmakers conducting oversight activities. A ruling for the government would allow the criminal case to move forward in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-announces-new-legal-team-for-impeachment-defense-after-previous-team-collapsed\/\" title=\"Trump Announces New Legal Team For Impeachment Defense After Previous Team Collapsed\">federal district court<\/a> while clarifying that congressional immunity does not shield members from prosecution for alleged physical confrontations with law enforcement.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Court debates if Rep. McIver&#8217;s assault case should be dismissed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2618505,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26041675017766.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32324,53359,32285,55715],"class_list":["post-2618504","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-appeals-court","tag-assault-charges","tag-legal-case","tag-mciver"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26041675017766.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2618504"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2618508,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618504\/revisions\/2618508"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2618505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2618504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2618504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2618504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}