Democrat Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) is accusing the Biden administration’s Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of preparing to release “manufactured” video footage allegedly showing Newark Mayor Ras Baraka physically assaulting ICE officials during a recent altercation at a New Jersey detention center.

During a fiery appearance on CNN’s Newsroom Saturday, Watson Coleman pushed back hard against claims from DHS that Mayor Baraka and members of Congress “body slammed” federal agents at the Delaney Hall Detention Center last week.

“They Are Lying”

“I can tell you what I think about what they’re saying,” Watson Coleman told CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield. “The President of the United States opens his mouth every day and lies. He can’t breathe without lying. He’s given permission to his cabinet and those who work for him to lie, and she’s lying too.”

Whitfield pressed the congresswoman on DHS’s statement that body cam video would be released to show “the violent nature” of the incident.

“If there’s any such body cam footage, it is footage that is manufactured for this purpose,” Watson Coleman shot back. “Because I said it before, and I’ll say it again: they are lying.”

The Alleged Incident

Last week, Mayor Baraka and several Democratic lawmakers were visiting Delaney Hall as part of a tour when the confrontation reportedly broke out. According to DHS officials, ICE agents were attempting to de-escalate a situation when they were physically assaulted by members of the group.

A DHS spokesperson claimed agents were “body slammed and shoved” and that the incident would be fully documented in upcoming footage.

However, Rep. Watson Coleman dismissed that entire narrative, describing it as “ridiculous,” and insisted that no physical confrontation occurred. “ICE was giving us the runaround,” she said. “We heard some noise, we came out, and saw the mayor being asked to leave. And he left.”

Political Blowback

The clash has become a flashpoint in the ongoing feud between red-state immigration policy and blue-city defiance. Baraka has publicly opposed ICE operations in Newark and supports sanctuary-style policies. The Biden administration’s decision to enforce stricter deportation mandates under Trump-era executive orders has widened that divide.

Republicans have pounced on the incident, accusing Democrats of obstructing federal law enforcement and encouraging illegal immigration. Meanwhile, Democrats like Watson Coleman are accusing the administration of using ICE as a political weapon — and now, according to her, of fabricating evidence.

What’s Next?

ICE and DHS have not announced a specific release date for the footage. If and when it is released, the political stakes could escalate further — especially if the footage confirms or contradicts Watson Coleman’s claims of fabrication.

Stay tuned for more as this story develops.