5 Republicans BETRAY Party – House Votes 215-207

Republican symbol on American flag background.

Five Republicans joined Democrats to shield a lawmaker accused of assaulting federal ICE officers from congressional censure, exposing deep fractures within the GOP when it comes to backing law enforcement.

Story Highlights

House votes 215-207 to kill censure resolution against Rep. LaMonica McIver for allegedly assaulting ICE officers
Five Republicans broke ranks to help Democrats protect McIver from formal congressional rebuke
McIver faces federal charges for incident during May oversight visit to New Jersey ICE detention facility
Trial scheduled for November 10, 2025, while McIver remains in office and claims political persecution

Republicans Abandon Law Enforcement Support

The House of Representatives delivered a shocking blow to law enforcement accountability when five Republicans joined Democrats to table a censure resolution against Rep. LaMonica McIver. The New Jersey Democrat faces federal charges for allegedly assaulting, resisting, and interfering with federal officers during a May visit to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center. This betrayal by GOP members represents a concerning departure from traditional conservative support for law enforcement protection.

Five Republicans Help Tank Effort To Censure Dem Who Allegedly Assaulted ICE Officers https://t.co/DGXC2fpOY0

— IJR (@TheIJR) September 3, 2025

Federal Charges Against Sitting Congresswoman

McIver was indicted on three federal counts stemming from the May 9 incident at the Newark detention facility. The charges represent an extraordinarily rare federal prosecution of a sitting member of Congress for alleged physical assault on law enforcement. U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, appointed during Trump’s presidency, emphasized the critical need to protect federal officers from interference regardless of the perpetrator’s political status or congressional position.

Democrat Claims Political Persecution

McIver pleaded not guilty to all charges on September 3, maintaining her innocence while characterizing the prosecution as politically motivated retaliation. She declared defiantly, “They will not intimidate me. They will not stop me from doing my job,” framing herself as a victim rather than acknowledging the serious nature of assaulting federal officers. Her supporters rallied outside the courthouse, with some even demanding closure of the Delaney Hall facility that houses detained illegal immigrants.

Congressional Oversight or Criminal Interference

The incident occurred during what McIver characterized as a routine congressional oversight visit to the privately operated, 1,000-bed ICE detention facility. However, federal prosecutors argue her actions crossed the line from legitimate oversight into criminal interference with federal law enforcement operations. This case highlights the ongoing tension between congressional authority and executive branch immigration enforcement, particularly as Democrats continue their relentless attacks on ICE detention practices and immigration enforcement measures.

The November trial will determine whether McIver faces potential removal from office, setting a precedent for how Congress handles members who allegedly assault federal officers. This case underscores the broader conflict over immigration enforcement and the disturbing trend of some lawmakers believing they are above the law when it comes to obstructing immigration officials doing their constitutional duty.