Today, a federal judge declined to dismiss charges against U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver related to her efforts to exercise congressional oversight at an immigration detention facility in New Jersey. Rep. McIver is currently charged in a three-count indictment alleging that she forcibly impeded and interfered with federal officers.
In response, Legal Defense Fund (LDF) President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement:
“Today’s decision to allow the prosecution of a sitting member of Congress for actions taken during the course of her official oversight duties sends a chilling message to all legislators who seek to hold the Trump administration accountable.
“Rep. LaMonica McIver’s prosecution is a brazen act of political retaliation and a worrying misuse of federal power and resources. It offers yet another reminder that the administration will weaponize law enforcement against those who pursue transparency, accountability, and justice.
“The attack on congressional oversight, which is a critical lever to hold the federal branch of government accountable, should alarm every person who desires a fair, just government. We are disappointed by the court’s decision to let this political prosecution proceed and will continue to speak out against all efforts to undermine democratic accountability. We hope that this ill-advised decision will be appealed and overturned.”
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Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation’s first civil rights law organization. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957—although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights.
