A judge on Thursday denied a motion to toss the criminal case against U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., who is charged with assaulting federal agents during a visit to a New Jersey immigration detention facility earlier this year. 

U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper wrote in a 41-page ruling that McIver failed to show the prosecution was vindictive and that her actions were “wholly disconnected” from her oversight role as a member of Congress. 

“Defendant has not met her burden of establishing that her predominant purpose in physically opposing the Mayor’s arrest was to conduct oversight or gather information for a legislative purpose. No genuine legislative purpose was advanced by Defendant’s alleged conduct,” Semper wrote.

MORE DETAILS REVEALED ON SUSPECTS IN INDEPENDENCE DAY ICE ATTACK IN TEXAS

Samper did not reach a decision on the congresswoman’s motion to toss the charges.

“From the beginning, this case has been about trying to intimidate me, stop me from doing oversight, and keep me from doing my job,” McIver said in a statement. “It will not work. I will keep standing up to protect people, and the court’s denial of my motions does not change that fact.”

“I am not in this fight only for myself, and I am concerned that this decision will simply embolden the administration,” she added. “This case is not over. I am committed to protecting my community, our people, and our country.”

McIver has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her — three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with federal officials. She has pleaded not guilty.  

WHITE HOUSE HITS BACK AT DEM MAYOR SUING US ATTORNEY AFTER ICE ARREST: ‘DESPERATE ATTEMPT’

She has maintained that the prosecution is part of a retaliation campaign by the Trump administration.

“It is clear this administration is treating Congresswoman McIver’s actions differently than the actions of those who are on their side,” McIver’s attorney, Paul Fishman, said in a statement. 

McIver was among several elected officials, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who attempted to visit the Delaney Hall detention center, a 1,000-bed facility, in Newark on May 9. The officials were attempting to inspect the facility. 

Baraka was arrested by federal agents while trying to gain access. McIver was among several people jostling in the crowd of people around Baraka as it happened.

Prosecutors claim McIver “slammed” her forearm into an agent and placed her arms around the mayor to try to stop his arrest.

It’s been 163 days, more than five months, since a 19-year-old man shot a woman to death outside her business in Crafton Heights.

Samantha Howells was the one who ended up dying, and she was just 52 years old.

Family members and friends are frustrated, though, with how the legal process is moving, and they sought to protest that Friday.

Being near something that invokes such sharp emotional pain is not easy.

“It’s bad, it’s hard on all of us,” Cheri Randall, Samantha’s mother, said.

But for those who knew and loved Samantha Howells? They say it’s necessary.

“My life’s a wreck, okay? Because I can’t get my wife justice,” Randall Richard, Samantha’s widow, said.

As they pulled out onto the street with their trucks and their cars, their message remained consistent.

“I didn’t get [any] justice yet at all,” Richard said.

Police said Howells stopped at the tow shop she owned across the street back on June 4.

She was worried that Isreal Moseby, 19, and two others were stealing from wrecked cars there.

Court docs said Howells took pictures while walking up to them. Those docs claim Moseby followed Howells back into her car and shot her.

“My aunt should have never been lying in that street in front of her business,” Tyler Schivins, Samantha’s nephew, said.

Howell’s loved ones said they’re frustrated with how long they’ve had to wait for a preliminary hearing. Moseby’s last scheduled court date was October 31. That’s been continued for the third time.

His next scheduled date is February 20, 2026.

For people like Richard, what he sees as a snail-like pace is something he’s struggled with.

“I have to build myself up to go to the preliminary hearing – because that’s the closest I’m ever going to be to [Moseby],” he said. “…every time I’m ready to do that – the rug gets pulled out from me.”

In the meantime? They remember someone who meant so much to them, a mother, grandmother, and friend.

With Friday’s procession? They hope to make sure people don’t forget who she was or forget her case.

“If that’s their game, I’m not letting it happen, I’ll… I’ll do this every week,” Richard said.