Democrats wrestle with how to conduct oversight as Trump officials crack down

AP News ^ | Updated 10:59 AM CDT, June 28, 2025 | MATT BROWN

[E. Pluribus Unum]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Just hours after she pleaded not guilty to federal charges brought by the Trump administration, New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver was surrounded by dozens of supportive Democratic colleagues in the halls of the Capitol. The case, they argued, strikes at the heart of congressional power.

“If they can break LaMonica, they can break the House of Representatives,” said New York Rep. Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Federal prosecutors allege that McIver interfered with law enforcement during a visit with two other House Democrats to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark, New Jersey. She calls the charges “baseless.”

It’s far from the only clash between congressional Democrats and the Republican administration as officials ramp up deportations of immigrants around the country.

Sen. Alex Padilla of California was forcibly removed by federal agents while attempting to speak at a news conference for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. At least six groups of House Democrats have recently been denied entry to ICE detention centers. In early June, federal agents entered the district office of Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., and briefly detained a staffer.

Congressional Republicans have largely dismissed Democrats’ behavior as inflammatory and inappropriate, and some have publicly supported the prosecution of McIver.

Often in the dark about the Trump administration’s moves, congressional Democrats are wrestling with how to perform their oversight duties at a time of roiling tensions with the White House and new restrictions on lawmakers visiting federal facilities.

“We have the authority to conduct oversight business, and clearly, House Republicans are not doing that oversight here,” said New Jersey Rep. Rob Menendez, one of the House Democrats who went with McIver...

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Often in the dark about the Trump administration’s moves...

Heh.

[Steely Tom]

[oversight] == [interference]

[chief lee runamok]

Demented, deluded democrat drama queens reject reality.

Nothing to see here, please move along.

[glennaro]

As is usually the case, the Democrat/Communists' premise is incorrect. The Executive and Legislative are co-equal branches (as is, of course, the Judiciary). The Legislative Branch is not endowed with the power of "oversight" of the Executive Branch.

Just another of myriad examples of Democrat/Communists "playing" with language for the uninformed ... at which they admittedly excel.

[Billthedrill]

So it’s harder for the saboteurs to lay their explosives on the train track. Too bad.

[exnavy]

When dems say oversight they mean, break laws and side step justice.

[Steve_Seattle]

You can still do oversight the traditional way: making an appointment to visit a facility when it doesn’t disrupt normal operating procedures. Barging into a facility, interfering with and impeding business, and scuffling with officials is NOT how you do “oversight.”

[pfflier]

Being a congresscritter doesn't make you immune if you commit a crime. Remember "No one is above the law"?

[rlmorel]

"...“If they can break LaMonica, they can break the House of Representatives,” said New York Rep. Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Federal prosecutors allege that McIver interfered with law enforcement during a visit with two other House Democrats to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark, New Jersey. She calls the charges “baseless.”

Every time I think one of these Democrat Human Stains cannot get any stupider, they get stupider.

It is as if she doesn't understand that her actions that this fat pig engaged in leading to these "baseless" charges were actually videotaped.

She even wore red so that she would stick out in the video:

She knows damn well, and is counting on a cooperative, helpful, and compliant media to set the narrative that she didn't do anything. Her expectations are no doubt well founded.

Personally, after she shoved that agent from behind, I wouldn't have blamed the agent if he had turned around and reflexively smashed her in the forehead with his night stick. I admire that he had the self control not to, something Democrats wholly lack.

[Ford4000]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbOtyWTRZ_g

[FrankRizzo890]

This was never about “oversight”, this was about demonstrating wokeness. It was all performative.

[DUMBGRUNT]

“If they can break LaMonica, they can break the House of Representatives,”

Excuse me, Miss Black Caucus, you are spewing a false dichotomy, that is to say, BS!

[Vaduz]

Check

[Bubba_Leroy]

Simple. Don’t try to force your way into federal holding facilities.

Individual Congress critters have no power or authority over the executive branch. They only have any authority collectively.

[Jacquerie]

This from the people who sought the assassination of a former President.

[elpadre]

these are the same characters who chanted “no one is above the law” when impeaching POTUS.