Fox is told that arrests could be in the offing for Reps. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., Robert Menendez Jr., D-N.J., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J. (Getty Images)
Fox is told that arrests could be in the offing for Reps. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., Robert Menendez Jr., D-N.J., and Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J.
"What happened on May 9th was not oversight. It was a political stunt that put the safety of our law enforcement officers, our agents, our staff, and our detainees at risk," said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to a House hearing Wednesday. "The behavior was lawlessness. And it was beneath this body."
Noem should know something about that. She served in the House for eight years. On her way into the hearing, Noem said that an investigation is underway.
"I think that arrests are still on the table for this," said Homeland Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin on Fox. "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. Just because you are a Member of Congress or just because you're a public official does not mean you are above the law."
Democrats argue they did nothing wrong. They had a right, under the law, to request an inspection of the facility. That comports with their oversight responsibilities. But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., assessed videotape of Democrats tangling with federal agents. He determined that wasn’t oversight.
"It looked like a battery to me," said Johnson.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., saw it differently.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wondered how a prosecution might short-circuit Congressional prerogatives and privileges. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
One Democrat involved in the Newark skirmish said prosecution wouldn’t surprise her.
"The rule of law means nothing to them," said Watson Coleman. "I think the majority of this country will see that this is not American. This is not upholding the Constitution."
House Republicans would like to censure the triumvirate of New Jersey Democrats who were at Delaney Hall. Censure is one of the official modes of discipline in the House, just short of expulsion. That requires a vote on the House floor. The House voted to censure Rep. Al Green, D-Tex., after he hectored President Trump during his speech to a Joint Session of Congress in March.
Like all things, it’s about the math. And Fox is told the House likely lacks the votes to discipline the Members or oust them from committees.
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As for criminal charges? Those remain to be seen. But actually arresting a Member of Congress would undoubtedly trigger some "Bumpy Weather Over Newark."
And a political firestorm in Washington, DC.
Chad Pergram currently serves as a senior congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bumpy-weather-over-newark-house-democrats-could-face-consequences-delaney-hall-incident