Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has called for Congress to take action against three Democratic lawmakers after a chaotic incident at a Newark immigration detention center. The confrontation involved Reps. Robert Menendez Jr., LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman, who were accused of illegally entering the facility, which houses migrants awaiting deportation.
Noem described the situation as alarming, stating that the lawmakers assaulted law enforcement officers and collaborated with criminals. She emphasized that their actions were not just oversight but could be classified as felonies. During an interview with Fox News, she expressed her disbelief at the behavior of the lawmakers, saying, "They have completely lost their minds."
The incident occurred outside the Delaney Hall Detention Center, where tensions escalated into a physical altercation. Noem claimed that the facility houses dangerous individuals, including members of gangs and terrorist organizations. The confrontation led to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for allegedly trespassing.
While Noem did not directly call for criminal charges against the lawmakers, she urged the House of Representatives to formally censure them and strip them of their committee assignments. She pointed out that one of the lawmakers, McIver, is supposed to oversee ICE operations but instead participated in what she termed an assault on law enforcement.
Rep. Buddy Carter, a Republican from Georgia, announced plans to introduce a resolution to remove the three Democrats from their congressional committee roles. Watson Coleman and Menendez Jr. serve on important committees, including Appropriations and Energy and Commerce.
In response to the accusations, the lawmakers have defended their actions, claiming that they were trying to fulfill their oversight responsibilities. Watson Coleman stated that they were initially escorted into the facility and only encountered trouble when they stepped outside to speak with the mayor. Menendez Jr. criticized ICE for escalating the situation, insisting that it could have been resolved peacefully.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about the role of lawmakers in overseeing immigration enforcement and the conduct of federal agents. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Congress will respond to Noem’s call for accountability.