Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at Department of Homeland Security, claimed on CNN that there would “likely be more arrests” after ICE‘s assault and detainment of Newark, New Jersey mayor Ras Baraka. After falsely stating Baraka “stormed” an ICE facility, she declared to Victor Blackwell “we’re not playing”:
Victor, I think that we should let viewers know there will likely be more arrests coming. We actually have body camera footage of some of these members of Congress assaulting our ICE enforcement officers, including body slamming a female ICE officer. So we will be showing that shortly.
Tricia McLaughlin
“You say a video of members of Congress body slamming ICE officials?” Blackwell asked, to which McLaughlin replied: “That’s correct sir, it’s disgusting.”
Blackwell pressed her further, asking “Okay, and so, if you have that video, are you suggesting that members of Congress will be arrested who were there yesterday?” McLaughlin confirmed, “This is an ongoing investigation and that is definitely on the table.”
During the interview, McLaughlin repeatedly insisted that Mayor Baraka was arrested for “storming” the facility, despite footage of the arrest showing him being taken into custody outside the gate. She went on to say that the mayor and members of Congress who were in attendance “put law enforcement at risk, this actually put the detainees, as well, at risk,” and added that more arrests would be forthcoming.
Mayor Baraka has been an outspoken opponent of the ICE facility in his city, who said in January that “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized.”
For its part, ICE under Trump’s second term has careened wildly out of its lane, with kidnap and torture of a legal immigrant and at least seven deaths reported at facilities nationwide.
AUTHOR FOOTNOTE
Hoo boy, Trish was probably very triggered by the video lead-in to her CNN live hit, which sounded more like a rejected scene from “Mean Girls” than an adult person updating the public on policy.
What’s especially rich for me is her “how dare you assault a federal officer” histrionics and pearl-clutching when we’re only four, short years on from the most-violent—and deadly—attempt to overthrow a lawful election in American history. Literally the entire point of the Insurrection was to foment, and carry out, violence against police officers—which they all knew ahead of time would spiral out of control. And before you tell me “Will, she had nothing to do with that event,” Trish was working in Trump’s regime when it happened (according to her LinkedIn page).
Even Jack Smith’s final report stated Donald would’ve been convicted for fomenting the violent mob had he not “won” the 2024 election. Lucky for Trish he got back in and can continue lying about her boss’ illegal activities while also cashing government checks.
Last point, which should be obvious by now: New Jersey officials have every right to investigate, probe and, yes, object to an unconstitutional-incarceration facility in their district. The allegation that they’re “breaking the law” is absurd on its face.
SOURCES
- Raw Story
- CNN interview on YouTube
- Tricia McLaughlin on LinkedIn
