Markwayne Mullin is Channeling Kristi Noem to Respond to the New Jersey ICE Hunger Strikes

Hundreds of detainees at an ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, have been waging a hunger strike after sending an “SOS” letter about conditions. Reports include expired and inedible food with worms, inadequate health care, and overcrowding, with nearly 900 detainees present since early April. DHS leadership denies the hunger strike, claiming it is a political stunt by New Jersey sanctuary politicians. Lawmakers attempted to visit the facility, but access was denied, raising questions about what is being hidden. Protests outside the prison included reports of tear gas and agents pushing through crowds and throwing people onto the street.

"As of Friday, hundreds of detainees at an ICE facility in Newark, N.J., have been waging a hunger strike, just days after they sent an "SOS" letter out about the abysmal conditions they were facing. Reports of abuse include expired and inedible food full of worms; inadequate health care; and overcrowding. (Per ICE data, nearly 900 detainees have been at the facility since early April.) But this sort of gross mistreatment has become canon among ICE facilities operating under the Trump administration-and so has the denial about it that follows."

""There is NO hunger strike at Delaney Hall," Mullin tweeted Monday, amid protests unfolding outside the prison. "This is nothing more than a political stunt by New Jersey sanctuary politicians for fundraising clicks." I mean, I know he was already an election denier-but clearly, the man seems to be abandoning his creep-mode style of leading DHS."

"Several lawmakers attempted to visit the Newark facility over the weekend-such as the state's Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who said she was not allowed in when she went. "My request for access to Delaney Hall was formally denied this morning, raising serious questions about what they are trying to hide from public view," she told reporters. Sherrill was joined by other Dem. members of Congress, such as Reps. LaMonica McIver, Nellie Pou, Rob Menendez Jr., and Sen. Andy Kim-the latter of whom shared on social media that he, among other protesters, was sprayed with tear gas."

"The armed agents pushed through the crowd, throwing several people onto the street. I ran over and stood between the ICE convoy and the crowd, trying to keep physical separation to prevent even more serious clashes. The last vehicle had an agent"

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