Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) issued a stark warning to officials in the Trump administration, suggesting that continued arrests of her Democratic colleagues would lead to “problems” down the line.
In her remarks, she specifically targeted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border area Czar Tom Homan, accusing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of engaging in what she termed “public blackmail.”
“If there’s any lawbreaking happening here, it’s not the members of Congress,” she stated in an Instagram video. “It’s the Department of Homeland Security, specifically people like Tom Homan and Kristi Noem.”
Ocasio-Cortez continued, saying, “You target someone like Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, and there will be consequences. The real lawbreakers are those who choose not to adhere to the law.”
This warning follows comments from DHS spokesperson Tricia Mclaughlin, who suggested last week that three Democratic members from New Jersey, including Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rob Menendez, and Ramonica McQuiver, might face arrest.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) was also arrested during a visit to a facility after he refused to leave.
According to ICE officials, Coleman was actively protesting alongside Menendez and McQuiver outside the facility, although Coleman has denied these allegations.
The Delaney Hall has become a contentious location in New Jersey, with Trump administration officials claiming it’s vital for detaining violent immigrants unlawfully present in the country. However, Baraka and other local leaders contend that the government is misusing the facility. They argue that they’ve obtained the necessary permissions to assist immigrants there.
