DHS Secretary Calls Out Lawmakers in Newark Detention Center Incident
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem has criticized lawmakers involved in a heated confrontation with law enforcement at the Newark Immigration Detention Center.
“What occurred last Friday was a law enforcement officer being attacked by another law enforcement member,” Noem stated in a recent interview with Fox News. She referred to the tense scenes outside the Delaney Hall detention center, describing how they were working in tandem with criminals to perpetrate illegal acts. “We didn’t overlook this. This was a felony, plain and simple. It was an assault on those who uphold the law,” she added.
Noem indicated it would be up to the Justice Department to decide if criminal charges against the lawmakers would be pursued, but emphasized that their actions constituted a felony.
The Trump administration accused Democrat legislators from North Jersey—Robert Menendez Jr., Lamonica McQuiver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman—of “illegally” attacking private facilities that are contracted to detain immigrants for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Last week’s disturbance at the Newark Detention Center, which Noem claims holds individuals linked to serious crimes, resulted in the arrest of Democrat Mayor Las Baraka for allegedly trespassing.
“I can’t comprehend what their rationale is,” Noem remarked regarding the involved lawmakers. “They seem completely disconnected from reality.”
Noem has since called for New Jersey Democrats to face consequences. She has stated that it is up to the Justice Department to figure out if further arrests are warranted.
Nonetheless, she urged the House to formally hold the trio accountable and strip them of their committee assignments. “It’s astonishing that someone who has supported criminals could be placed in a position of leadership,” she expressed.
She specifically referenced McQuiver, who is part of the House Homeland Security Committee, saying that instead of supporting ICE, she is attacking them.
“They simply do not deserve to be in those roles,” Noem concluded. “They should be held accountable for their actions.”
Newark Mayor Las Baraka was arrested following the incident, while New Jersey Democrats have criticized federal law enforcement for inflaming the situation.
On Tuesday, Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) announced plans to introduce a resolution to remove McQuiver, Menendez Jr., and Watson Coleman from their current roles. Watson Coleman and Menendez Jr. are members of key House committees.
The involved politicians have rebuffed claims made by ICE agents regarding their conduct. Watson Coleman asserted, “DHS is misrepresenting the events.” She recounted that she and her colleagues were trying to talk to the mayor when ICE agents started pushing them.
“We entered the facility as legally authorized,” she insisted, sharing a video of the altercation.
Menendez Jr. spoke on CNN, accusing federal immigration authorities of escalating tensions. “Numerous instances could have been handled better, but Homeland Security Investigations chose not to intervene,” he remarked.
In a post on X, McQuiver argued for the necessity of their actions. “We were at Delaney Hall to fulfill our responsibilities,” she stated. “ICE has generated chaos instead of facilitating oversight, which is their obligation.”
