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Bumpy Weather Over Newark: House Democrats could face consequences for Delaney Hall incident
What’s dicier these days?
Flying into Newark Liberty Airport? Or finding yourself near the front gate of an ICE detention center in Newark?
To the mind of famous bandleader Raymond Scott – you’re in for «Bumpy Weather Over Newark» either way. That’s one of Scott’s most famous compositions. It ranks right up there with «Powerhouse» and the scores to 120 Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons.
A trio of House Democrats scuffled with federal law enforcement officers last week at Delaney Hall in Newark. It’s possible they could face discipline from the House for the fracas. Or worse.
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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.
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during his press conference at the U.S. Capitol on April 28, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
«There is zero basis to hold any Member of Congress accountable,» said Jeffries. «No videos have been produced suggesting that they’ve engaged in any inappropriate activity. And if those videos existed, certainly they would have been put into the public domain by now. Those videos haven’t been released because they don’t exist.»
Chatter about possible arrests or sanctions for the Democrats rattled around Capitol Hill all week. McIver and her aides bowled past a wall of reporters en route to the Noem hearing Wednesday.
«Are you worried about being arrested potentially?» asked yours truly.
McIver’s aides pushed arms and hands holding microphones out of the way.
«Excuse me! Excuse me!» ordered McIver, never breaking stride.
«The Speaker has talked about censure, Ms. McIver. Do you have any response to that?» I asked.
The Congresswoman disappeared behind a doorway to the House Homeland Security Committee, never responding.
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Colleague Dan Scully tried valiantly to get McIver to comment on Thursday. But no dice.
«(Interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey) Alina Habba said she was going to announce an investigation. Was there any sort of deal made between you and what happened over there? Do you care to comment on that at all?» asked Scully.
Silence from McIver.
«Has anyone from DOJ reached out to you?» asked another reporter.
Crickets.
«Congresswoman, do you regret shoving officers? Did you think you would get away with that?» asked another scribe.
Nada.
«Do you have any comment at all?» queried Scully.
It’s doubtful that even the resourcefulness of TV’s MacGyver could have pried loose any response from McIver.
Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., introduced a resolution to strip McIver, Menendez and Watson Coleman of their committee assignments.
«Keep your hands off of Members of Congress,» warned Jeffries.
Yours truly followed up with Jeffries at his press conference Tuesday.
«What happens if they were to go and arrest these Members, or if they would try to sanction them in the House first?» I asked.
«They’ll find out,» replied Jeffries.
«What would you do?» I followed up.
«They’ll find out,» repeated Jeffries.
«What resource?» I countered.
«They’ll find out,» he said again.
«Doesn’t that broach…?»
«They’ll find out.»
«Does that go against…?»
«That’s a red line,» said Jeffries.
«What’s the red line?» I asked.
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«It’s a red line. It’s very clear. First of all, I think that the so-called Homeland Security spokesperson is a joke. It’s a joke. They know better than to go down that road. And it’s been made loudly and abundantly clear to the Trump Administration. We’re not going to be intimidated by their tactics,» said Jeffries. «There are clear lines that they just dare not cross.»
An arrest of these lawmakers would spark a firestorm on Capitol Hill. Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution generally shields lawmakers from charges – so long they as they are conducting official Congressional business. A lawmaker isn’t off the hook if they shoot someone. But the Founders were mindful of how politically-motivated arrests could undercut the work of Congress. So, they crafted what’s known as the «Speech or Debate» clause to inoculate lawmakers when conducting business.
«They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place,» reads the provision.
«I don’t think that’s Speech and Debate clause,» said Johnson about the rhubarb in Newark. «We have to set a standard here. You cannot have Members of Congress pushing law enforcement officials around and that’s exactly what everybody saw on the videotape.»
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wondered how a prosecution might short-circuit Congressional prerogatives and privileges.
«I think it’s a sign of weakness to instill fear,» said Pelosi. «It does definitely step on the Speech or Debate Clause.»
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.
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Justice Department investigating University of California over alleged DEI-based hiring
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The Justice Department has announced it is investigating the University of California (UC) for alleged Title VII discrimination violations in its hiring practices.
The agency announced Thursday that its Civil Rights Division is looking into the university’s individual campuses regarding potential race- and sex-based discrimination in employment practices.
The university’s «UC 2030 Capacity Plan» directs its campuses to hire «diverse» faculty members to meet race- and sex-based employment quotas, the Justice Department said.
The Justice Department has launched a Title VII investigation into the University of California over alleged race- and sex-based discrimination in faculty hiring. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, LAW JOURNAL SUED FOR ALLEGEDLY DISCRIMINATING AGAINST STRAIGHT WHITE MALES
«These initiatives openly measure new hires by their race and sex, which potentially runs afoul of federal law,» the Justice Department said in a press release.
«The Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section will investigate whether the University of California is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, sex, and other protected characteristics, pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.»
Title VII prohibits an employer from discriminating against an individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said.
«Public employers are bound by federal laws that prohibit racial and other employment discrimination,» Dhillon said. «Institutional directives that use race- and sex-based hiring practices expose employers to legal risk under federal law.»
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division wrote to the university on Thursday, informing it of the investigation.
«Our investigation is based on information suggesting that the University of California may be engaged in certain employment practices that discriminate against employees, job applicants, and training program participants based on race and sex in violation of Title VII,» the letter reads.
«Specifically, we have reason to believe the University of California’s ‘UC 2030 Capacity Plan’ precipitated unlawful action by the University of California and some or all its constituent campuses.»
In March, UC dropped diversity statements from its hiring practices amid President Donald Trump’s threats that schools could lose federal funding. (iStock)
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TARGETS IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL, LAW JOURNAL FOR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
UC said it will work in good faith with the Justice Department as it conducts its investigation.
«The University of California is committed to fair and lawful processes in all of our programs and activities, consistent with federal and state anti-discrimination laws,» a UC statement provided to Fox News Digital reads. «The University also aims to foster a campus environment where everyone is welcomed and supported.»
The university’s UC 2030 Capacity Plan lays out a goal of becoming a national model as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) system. The plan outlines a pipeline strategy to diversify faculty and researchers through expanded graduate enrollment and outreach to institutions that serve underrepresented students. The DOJ, however, claims these initiatives may violate Title VII by functioning as de facto employment quotas.
In March, UC dropped diversity statements from its hiring practices amid President Donald Trump’s threats that schools could lose federal funding.
The university’s provost, Katherine S. Newman, sent out a letter to the system’s leaders informing them that diversity statements are no longer required for new applicants. Newman wrote that while some programs and departments have required them, the university has never had a policy of diversity statements and believes it could harm applicant evaluation.
University of California, Berkeley entrance sign on the corner of Oxford Street and Center Street. (iStock)
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«The requirement to submit a diversity statement may lead applicants to focus on an aspect of their candidacy that is outside their expertise or prior experience,» the letter obtained by Fox News Digital reads.
She added that employees and applicants can still reference accomplishments related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on their own, but requiring stand-alone diversity statements is no longer permitted.
Fox News’ David Spunt and Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.
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Iranian foreign minister reiterates ‘serious damage’ to nuclear facilities, despite ayatollah’s comments
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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted in an interview on state TV that the U.S.’s strikes caused serious damage to Tehran’s nuclear facilities, despite Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s insistence that there was minimal impact.
Araghchi said in the interview that «the level of damage is high, and it’s serious damage,» according to the Associated Press.
Post-strike assessments have shown that Iran’s nuclear sites suffered damage in both U.S. and Israeli attacks. All three countries — Iran, Israel and the U.S. — have reached similar conclusions about the extent of the damage, despite what a leaked intel report indicated.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contradicts Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the extent of damage caused by U.S. strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities. (Associated Press)
IRAN, ISRAEL AND US AGREE THAT ISLAMIC REPUBLIC NUCLEAR SITES WERE ‘BADLY DAMAGED’ DESPITE LEAKED INTEL REPORT
The only leader who seemingly does not agree with the assessments is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said that «the Americans failed to achieve anything significant in their attack on nuclear facilities,» according to reports.
Khamenei appears to be more focused on projecting strength than reflecting reality. He described Iran’s attack on Al-Udeid, the American airbase in Qatar, as a «heavy slap to the U.S.’s face.» While President Donald Trump dismissed it as a «very weak response» and thanked Iran for giving the U.S. «early notice.»
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement on Tuesday that the agency had «seen extensive damage at several nuclear sites in Iran, including its uranium conversion and enrichment facilities.»
This satellite picture by Planet Labs PBC shows Iran’s underground nuclear enrichment site at Fordo following U.S. airstrikes targeting the facility, on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
IRAN TRYING TO ‘SAVE FACE’ FOLLOWING US STRIKE ON NUCLEAR SITES, EXPERT SAYS
In addition to discussing the damage done to Iran’s nuclear sites, Araghchi also addressed the possibility of resuming talks with the U.S. He said that the American strikes «made it more complicated and more difficult» for Iran to come to the table, but did not rule out the possibility that negotiations could resume.
Nuclear talks with the U.S. might not be entirely off the table for Iran after last week’s strikes—even if Tehran is not interested in reentering negotiations right away.
The possibility of negotiations was already in question prior to Operation Midnight Hammer, as Tehran viewed the U.S. as being «complicit» in Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, according to Reuters, citing Iranian U.N. Ambassador Ali Bahreini.
US Vice President JD Vance, from left, US President Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, and Pete Hegseth, US secretary of defense, during an address to the nation in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Carlos Barria/Reuters/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
EX-SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE CALLS US STRIKES ON IRAN A ‘SHOT IN THE ARM’ FOR AMERICAN CREDIBILITY
Trump on Wednesday expressed optimism in the U.S.’s ability to resume nuclear talks with Iran.
«We’re going to talk to them next week, with Iran. We may sign an agreement, I don’t know. To me, I don’t think it’s that necessary. I mean, they had a war. They fought. Now they’re going back to their world. I don’t care if I have an agreement or not. The only thing we would be asking for is what we’re asking for before about, we want no nuclear [program]. But we destroyed the nuclear,» Trump said.
Despite Trump’s statement, there is still no clear indication that the countries have plans to meet in the near future.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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