CNN Panel Explodes After Jennings Defends Charges Against Rep. LaMonica McIver [WATCH]

CNN contributor and Republican strategist Scott Jennings sparked heated reactions from fellow panelists during a segment Monday as he defended federal charges against Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey, who is facing accusations of assaulting and impeding federal officers outside an ICE facility earlier this month, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The incident took place on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey, during a confrontation involving several high-profile New Jersey Democrats.

Alongside McIver, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Democratic Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez Jr. were also present during the disruption at the federal facility.

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Federal officials have since charged McIver for allegedly assaulting officers at the scene. The situation escalated on-air during the CNN segment when Jennings pushed back against claims from the panel, particularly those suggesting McIver would ultimately be vindicated.

“I mean, the videos are pretty clear, are they not?” Jennings said, referencing footage from the event. “I mean, she’s shoving elbows, some punches. I mean, this is—this is—” Jennings continued before Baraka interrupted, minimizing the actions as “a lot of pushing and shoving.”

Jennings countered by posing a hypothetical: “Would a regular person, if they came and did that to a federal officer, get away with it?” Baraka responded dismissively, repeating, “A regular person?”

The segment quickly grew tense as Jennings maintained that the law applies equally to elected officials and private citizens alike.

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He later doubled down on his comments in a post on X, saying, “Feds well within rights to charge Rep. McIver for assaulting law enforcement at ICE facility in Newark. The video doesn’t lie – it ain’t no cheap fake!”

The confrontation at the ICE facility, which led to McIver’s federal charges and Baraka’s arrest, has been a flashpoint for criticism of Democratic officials who have increasingly clashed with immigration enforcement authorities.

Feds well within rights to charge Rep. McIver for assaulting law enforcement at ICE facility in Newark.

The video doesn’t lie – it ain’t no cheap fake! Amazing how much energy Dems put into illegal aliens. Week after week. They’d never fight that hard for the American people. pic.twitter.com/yjP0GiJSdr

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) May 20, 2025

The Department of Justice has not yet announced further action against others involved in the May 9 incident. As of now, McIver is the only sitting member of Congress facing charges directly tied to the altercation.

The full segment featuring Jennings’ comments aired Monday on CNN’s NewsNight with Abby Phillip.

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