Congressmembers have long gotten away with breaking the law. The Trump admin wants to put an end to that.
And now a rogue Congressmember is about to be put in handcuffs according to this top DHS official.
AOC Warned About Being Arrested By Trump Official On Fox News
The recent uproar at an ICE facility in New Jersey reveals a troubling pattern among some Democrats, where posturing for public approval seems to trump respect for immigration law enforcement. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin, appearing on Fox Business Monday, didn’t mince words when discussing the potential consequences for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. If the New York Democrat were to trespass and assault ICE agents, McLaughlin stated, an arrest would be “on the table.” This comes after a chaotic scene at the Delaney Hall facility, where Democratic lawmakers and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka clashed with authorities, prioritizing political theater over orderly oversight.
The incident unfolded Friday when Baraka, alongside New Jersey Reps. Rob Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver, arrived at the ICE facility. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the group attempted to “storm” through the gates as a detention bus passed, leading to Baraka’s arrest. McLaughlin, speaking on Fox Business’s The Bottom Line, dismissed claims that the lawmakers were merely conducting congressional oversight. “We know that’s baloney because had they asked us, had they requested a tour, David, we would have happily facilitated that for them as well,” she said. DHS has clear guidelines, including a 24-hour notice for facility tours, which the lawmakers ignored.
Ocasio-Cortez escalated the rhetoric with a fiery Instagram video posted Sunday, defending her colleagues’ actions and issuing a stark warning to ICE. “You lay a finger on Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman or any of the representatives that were there, you lay a finger on them, and we’re going to have a problem,” she declared. Her words, dripping with defiance, suggest a willingness to confront law enforcement rather than work within established protocols. This approach raises questions about whether some Democrats view themselves as above the rules they expect others to follow.
The lawmakers’ defenders have pushed back, claiming the group was exercising their oversight authority. Staff for Rep. Coleman told Axios they were eventually “escorted” into the facility, implying the chaos was overblown. On CNN’s State of the Union, the lawmakers doubled down, asserting the disorder was “created” by the agency itself. Such deflections sidestep the core issue: their failure to adhere to basic procedural requirements for visiting a secure facility. This isn’t oversight; it’s opportunism dressed up as duty.
DHS released bodycam footage on X Saturday, showing the tense exchange and accusing Rep. McIver of “assaulting an ICE agent.” The footage points to the volatility of the encounter, which McLaughlin described as endangering the safety of law enforcement officers. She emphasized that the facility houses serious offenders, including “r*pists, child predators, an MS-13 gang member, even a suspected terrorist.” Yet, the Democrats’ actions seem less about ensuring accountability and more about scoring points with their base, even at the cost of operational security.
While oversight of federal agencies is a legitimate congressional function, the manner of this confrontation suggests a preference for spectacle over substance. By bypassing established channels and resorting to aggressive tactics, these lawmakers risk undermining the very institutions they claim to oversee. Their approach contrasts sharply with the disciplined adherence to protocol expected of law enforcement officers tasked with managing high-risk detainees.
Ocasio-Cortez’s combative rhetoric only amplifies this disconnect. Her warning of a “problem” if ICE agents act against her colleagues implies a readiness to escalate rather than de-escalate. Such statements may resonate with activists, but they erode the credibility of lawmakers who should model respect for the rule of law. The public deserves representatives who engage with immigration enforcement constructively, not those who treat it as a stage for grandstanding.
McLaughlin’s remarks on Fox Business cut through the noise, framing the incident as “political gamesmanship.” She stressed that DHS is open to facilitating lawful oversight but won’t compromise officer safety for publicity stunts. The lawmakers’ refusal to follow protocol—despite knowing the facility’s sensitive nature—suggests a deliberate choice to provoke rather than inform. This behavior alienates those who value orderly governance and fuels skepticism about Democratic motives.
The fallout from this clash continues to reverberate, with DHS standing firm on its account of events. The body-cam footage serves as a stark reminder that actions have consequences, even for elected officials. While Democrats may frame their involvement as righteous advocacy, the reality is messier. Their disregard for procedure and confrontational tactics at the ICE facility signal a troubling prioritization of optics over responsibility.
By choosing provocation over partnership, these lawmakers risk alienating voters who see immigration law as a matter of public safety, not a canvas for moral posturing. The Delaney Hall fiasco is less about oversight and more about a calculated bid for attention, leaving law enforcement caught in the crossfire.
The Conservative Column will keep you updated on any statements from the Trump administration and from Congress.
