Progressive lawmaker's baby bump photo sparks online firestorm as she faces prison time: 'Disgusting'
Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., caused an uproar on social media when she made a post defending her decision to get pregnant despite potentially facing nearly two decades in prison for allegedly assaulting law enforcement officers at Delaney Hall detention center protests.
"People might find it crazy that even though I’m facing 17 years in prison, I made the decision to get pregnant," McIver posted to X on Tuesday. "But, at the end of the day, this is something I couldn’t let be consumed by this administration. I refuse to let them take my joy or my future."
The New Jersey congresswoman is being charged on three counts of allegedly assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement. The charges stem from McIver's May 2025 visit to Delaney Hall with other Democratic lawmakers. Prosecutors allege McIver physically interfered with federal officers as they attempted to arrest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. McIver has denied wrongdoing and argued that she was performing congressional oversight.
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McIver's post prompted several conservative figures and social media users to accuse her of highlighting — or even timing — her pregnancy in hopes of receiving favorable treatment in her criminal case.
"When getting pregnant is a social media stunt to avoid prison time...," Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., posted to X.
"You violently assaulted a law enforcement officer on camera, then somehow convinced a man to knock you up for political reasons so you could paint yourself as a victim," New Jersey Trump delegate Mike Crispi wrote. "Disgraceful. The poor child."
"Why is your pregnancy amid the criminal charges a social media stunt accompanied with a photoshoot?" conservative journalist Andy Ngo said. "Is anyone in your office normal?
"Getting pregnant to sway justice is a whole new level of sick," one X user posted.
"Why would I find it crazy?" another user said. "You are a cheater & a fraud and, true to character, you became pregnant in an attempt to sway the outcome of the court in your favor."
"Facing 17 years, gets pregnant in hope of leniency," another user wrote. "‘I refuse to let them take my joy or my future.’ as the excuse. Congratulations on giving your child the best possible start to life. You are just a genuinely disgusting person."
The post comes about a month after a divided federal appeals court allowed two charges against McIver to proceed while sending a third back to the district court for further consideration of her legislative-immunity argument.
McIver argued that she should have immunity from prosecution because she was carrying out her duties as a congresswoman in her actions that led to her being charged, calling the charges "vindictive."
"Oh stop with the desperate need for sympathy," one posted to X. "YOU are not above the law."
"You are on camera assaulting law enforcement," another said. "You are not above the law, you swore to defend it and broke it."
One user left a screenshot of a past tweet from McIver where she posted saying, "No one is above the law! Full stop."
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McIver faces multiple felony charges and, if convicted, could face prison time.
McIver did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Despite the charges, McIver is on the ballot for re-election to continue to represent New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District.