Scoop: Dems seek DOJ docs on McIver charging decision
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Rep. LaMonica McIver speaks at a press conference with other House Democratic freshmen during House Democrats' 2025 retreat in Leesburg, Va., on March 13. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is demanding documents and other information from Attorney General Pam Bondi about the Justice Department's decision to charge Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The investigation marks a new chapter in Democrats' growing conflict with the Trump administration over its efforts to prosecute officials from other branches of government.
- Raskin, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, could run into considerable roadblocks in his probe as he cannot issue subpoenas.
- His outreach to Bondi signals a potential full-blown investigation should House Democrats return to power in 2026, however.
Driving the news: In a letter to Bondi first obtained by Axios, Raskin argued the charges are "in violation of long-standing ... policies designed to prevent exactly this type of politically motivated abuse of prosecutorial power."
- He pointed to reporting that the DOJ did not consult the Public Integrity Section before filing the charges — a departure from rules around the prosecution of members of Congress and congressional staffers.
- Raskin noted that the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, writing that she has abandoned "any pretense of legal independence or official neutrality."
- The DOJ and the U.S. attorney's office in New Jersey did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
What's next: Raskin's letter includes a list of eight questions for Bondi that he wants answered by June 10.
- The questions center around how the decision was made to prosecute McIver — as well as to bring and then drop charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
- Raskin is also requesting documents and communications related to the two prosecutions, including any legal analyses or records of discussions between the DOJ and the White House.
State of play: The Justice Department charged McIver last month with assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement based on video of her elbowing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
- The incident occurred during a chaotic scuffle as police were arresting Baraka for allegedly trespassing at Delany Hall, a migrant detention facility in Newark.
- The charges against Baraka were later dropped, but McIver was charged soon after.
- McIver has alleged she was the one who was assaulted and accused the DOJ of trying to intimidate lawmakers into stopping unannounced visits to ICE facilities.
What they're saying: Raskin's letter comes as part of what House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) described as "collective action" in defense of McIver.
- "You can expect some activity and action on that front, to be led by Jamie Raskin," he told reporters at a press conference earlier Tuesday afternoon.
- Jeffries also said that House Democrats would lend McIver financial support and legal resources in her battle with the DOJ.
