An outspoken New Jersey lawmaker’s televised remarks have cast a spotlight on escalating tensions between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration.

Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) on Wednesday said she fears she could face prosecution from President Donald Trump’s administration after fellow New Jersey Democrat Rep. LaMonica McIver was charged with assault during a recent visit to a Newark ICE facility. According to Breitbart, Watson Coleman described the charges as “an act of intimidation” and insisted she and her colleagues were simply performing their oversight duties.

Her comments, made during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Ana Cabrera Reports,” reflect growing anxiety among Democrats who argue that law enforcement is being used as a political weapon. Watson Coleman’s concerns come as the Trump administration faces criticism for its handling of immigration enforcement and relations with members of Congress.

ICE facility visit sparks confrontation

The controversy began after Rep. McIver was charged with assault at a Newark, New Jersey ICE facility, an event that quickly attracted national attention. Watson Coleman, a participant in the facility visit, described the experience as “unnecessary chaos” that erupted following actions by ICE officials. She asserted that the delegation’s presence was part of a legitimate congressional oversight effort.

During her MSNBC interview, Watson Coleman told host Ana Cabrera that the facility had opened without proper inspections. She expressed alarm over conditions inside, pointing to concerns about safety, cleanliness, healthcare, and food for detainees. The lawmaker insisted that the delegation’s intent was not confrontational but focused on ensuring humane treatment for those held at the facility.

Despite the tension, Watson Coleman stated that after the initial disruption, the lawmakers were ultimately allowed to complete their tour. She framed the ICE response as an intimidation tactic designed to discourage congressional scrutiny.

Lawmaker defends actions, questions motives

When asked if she feared becoming the next target of prosecution, Watson Coleman did not mince words. She said, “I’m concerned that they could try to, yes,” clarifying that her worries stem from what she views as abuses of the rule of law rather than any wrongdoing on her part.

Watson Coleman said her actions and those of her colleagues were above board. She argued that the legal threat was baseless and politically motivated, asserting, “None of us did anything wrong. We tried to do our job, and there was no reason for the situation to go into that direction.”

Watson Coleman, speaking on MSNBC, said:

This is an act of intimidation, and we’re not going to be intimidated. We’re going to do our job. And our job of oversight was extremely important in a place that opened without having any of the inspections done to ensure that where the people would be housed, the facility would be safe and clean, health care would be there, food would be there, etc. And at the end of the day, after all of this unnecessary chaos started by ICE, we were given our tour.

Critics accuse Trump administration of political targeting

Critics of the Trump administration argue that these charges represent a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict between the executive branch and Congress. Civil rights groups and several Democratic leaders have condemned what they describe as the weaponization of law enforcement against political opponents.

Watson Coleman’s case is not isolated. The charging of Rep. McIver has intensified concerns about the use of federal agencies to suppress dissent and intimidate lawmakers. Detractors contend that the administration’s actions risk undermining the integrity of the oversight process and damaging public trust in key institutions.

Supporters of President Trump and his administration, however, insist that law enforcement must be allowed to do its job without interference. They argue that no one—elected officials included—should be above the law and that any criminal allegations should be investigated rigorously.

Lawmaker vows to continue oversight work

Despite her stated fears, Watson Coleman made clear that she and her colleagues would not be deterred from their oversight responsibilities. She described the threat of prosecution as a form of political pressure but insisted it would not stop her from advocating for humane conditions and accountability at immigration facilities.

The congresswoman stressed that her commitment to oversight was rooted in her duty to constituents and the broader public. She called on fellow lawmakers to resist intimidation and continue pressing for transparency in federal detention operations.

With the Trump administration facing ongoing scrutiny over its handling of immigration and congressional relations, Watson Coleman’s stand has become a rallying point for Democrats who argue that checks and balances are under threat.