Nearly 200 Democratic officials across various levels of state and local government have signed a joint statement opposing what they describe as the Trump administration’s use of the Justice Department to target political opponents. The coalition, which includes city council members, county commissioners, state legislators, school board members, and mayors, has expressed concern over recent actions against officials who challenge the president’s immigration policies.
According to MSNBC, the movement comes in response to recent events involving Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver, who faced charges after visiting a migrant detention center in Newark. While a judge has since dismissed the trespassing charge against Baraka, McIver continues to contest the DOJ’s assault allegations, maintaining her innocence.
