A Democratic Lawmaker Is Fighting Federal Charges by Pointing to Jan. 6 Rioters’ Case Dismissals

Rep. LaMonica McIver’s attorneys argue that because charges were dropped against Jan. 6 rioters who were indicted for violating the same federal law, the congresswoman’s charges should be dismissed.

Rep. LaMonica McIver speaks at a press conference.
Tom Williams/AP

Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver is urging a judge to dismiss the federal charges against her following a scuffle with immigration officers — and using the dismissed cases of the Jan. 6 rioters as the basis for her argument.

“This case charges Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, a sitting Democratic Member of

Congress, with violating the same federal assault statute” as over 160 Jan. 6 rioters whose charges were dismissed, McIver’s attorneys wrote in a court document filed over the weekend. “But the similarity ends there.”