Black Lawmakers Condemn Federal Charges Against Rep. MacGyver, Cite Political Intimidation
The charges, filed just days ago, have sparked national outcry and immediate backlash from the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A growing coalition of Democratic lawmakers is calling out what they describe as a politically motivated attack by former President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice after Rep. LaMonica MacGyver of New Jersey was charged in connection with a recent visit to an ICE detention facility.
The charges, filed just days ago, have sparked national outcry and immediate backlash from the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and the Democratic Women’s Caucus. Leaders from these groups allege the legal action is an effort to intimidate members of Congress who are actively engaged in oversight duties.
Congressional Black Caucus Declares Full Support
Standing before a packed room at the Capitol, Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Chair of the CBC, made it clear: “Congresswoman MacGyver has the full and unwavering support of the Congressional Black Caucus. Period.”
Clarke described the charges as “a reprehensible political stunt” designed to discourage congressional oversight. “She was at Delaney Hall doing her job,” Clarke said, referencing the ICE facility where the alleged incident occurred. “We’ve seen this script before — power structures targeting strong Black women who challenge systemic injustice.”
The timing of the charges, filed on what would have been Malcolm X’s 100th birthday, was not lost on Clarke. “Her story is his. His story is ours. And we are never going to stop telling it,” she said.
Progressive and Women’s Caucuses Join Forces
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, warned that “women in Trump’s America are not safe,” accusing the former president of treating the Justice Department as a “personal goon squad.”
“This isn’t just about New Jersey,” she said. “If we’re not safe in Congress, who is safe in this country?”
Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, echoed those sentiments, warning that these charges are “a direct attack on the ability of Congress to hold the government accountable.”
“If Trump can target elected officials for doing their jobs, then no American is safe from political retaliation,” Casar added.
Oversight or Overreach?
At the center of the controversy is MacGyver’s recent visit to an ICE facility in her capacity as a member of Congress. Supporters insist the visit was part of her constitutional obligation to conduct oversight. Federal prosecutors argue her presence interfered with the facility’s operations.
Members of Congress maintain they have the legal authority and responsibility to inspect federal institutions, especially in cases of alleged civil rights abuses. “These are not political stunts,” Casar said. “They are acts of public service and democratic accountability.”
New Jersey Delegation and Sen. Cory Booker Weigh In
Members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, including Sen. Cory Booker, also rallied behind MacGyver, citing the broader implications for American democracy.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Booker said. “This is not just about one representative — this is about whether or not the people’s elected officials can serve without fear.”
Calls to Action and Next Steps
Democrats vowed to increase oversight visits to ICE facilities and utilize every legal and legislative tool available to defend MacGyver and prevent similar actions in the future.
“If they want to come for LaMonica,” Clarke warned, “they’re going to have to go through all of us first.”
The case is already galvanizing progressive leaders and civil rights organizations, many of whom see the prosecution as part of a larger pattern of retaliation against those who challenge Trump-aligned institutions.
