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Appellate Panel Reviews Claim DOJ Targeted Senator McIver

6/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

The appellate panel will review whether the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s prosecution of State Senator McIver is politically motivated.
McIver is charged with assaulting two federal agents during a 2025 Newark detention-center inspection, with no injuries reported.
Her lawyers claim the DOJ is targeting her for her political stance, pointing to pardons for January 6 protesters who injured police.
U.S. District Judge Jamel K. Semper rejected the political-motivation claim in November.

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Story summary

The appellate panel will review whether the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s prosecution of State Senator McIver is politically motivated.
McIver is charged with assaulting two federal agents during a 2025 Newark detention-center inspection, with no injuries reported.
Her lawyers claim the DOJ is targeting her for her political stance, pointing to pardons for January 6 protesters who injured police.
U.S. District Judge Jamel K. Semper rejected the political-motivation claim in November.