The mayor of Newark, New Jersey was arrested by federal agents for storming an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. At least three Democrat members of the House were also involved in the mob action and were filmed physically attacking ICE agents.
“This stunt by sanctuary lawmakers puts the safety of our law enforcement agents and detainees at risk,” the Dept. of Homeland Security wrote in a statement.
Mayor Ras Baraka was handcuffed and detained by federal agents at Delaney Hall. The mayor, along with several members of Congress were part of a mob that stormed the facility.
Lawmakers LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez were also involved in the melee.
When federal officials blocked Baraka’s entry, a heated argument broke out, according to Viri Martinez, an activist with the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. It continued even after Baraka returned to the public side of the gates.
Witnesses said the arrest came after Baraka attempted to join a scheduled tour of the facility with three members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.
Alina Habba – the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey – confirmed that Baraka was detained – writing on X:
“The Mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka, committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law. That will not stand in this state. He has been taken into custody. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.”
There’s no word just jet on what sort of charges the mayor could face. And the mayor has yet to release a statement.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy demanded that the mayor be released from federal custody.
“I am outraged by the unjust arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka earlier this afternoon outside of Delaney Hall in Newark,” the governor said. “I am calling for his immediate release by federal law enforcement.”
Republicans were quick to condemn the Democrats and their mob.
“Members of Congress and the Mayor of Newark committed an insurrection at a federal detention facility in New Jersey today,” former Rep. Dan Bishop (R-NC) wrote on X. “Worse than 9/11.”
“If it was a typical U.S. citizen, and they tried to storm into a detention facility that’s housing dangerous criminals or any person at all, they would be arrested,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told “Fox News Live” host Kevin Corke Saturday. “Just because you are a member of Congress or just because you’re a public official, does not mean you are above the law.”
“If you assault a law enforcement officer, we will also make sure you answer to justice,” she added. “So, I think that arrests are still on the table for this. This is an ongoing investigation.”
Anyone who took part in that mob action should be arrested — including the three congressmen.
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