Cory Booker Declares He’s Willing to Be Jailed in Battle Against Trump

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey made a bold declaration during an appearance on MSNBC’s The Briefing on Thursday: not even threats of imprisonment from former President Donald Trump would deter him from speaking out.

In a conversation with host Jen Psaki, Booker responded to recent criticisms Trump had directed at him. Psaki asked what advice he would offer whistleblowers and other individuals who feel compelled to speak out during such politically charged times.

“Trump came after you today,” Psaki noted. “You’re an elected official, so some of that comes with the territory. But what do you say to regular people — whistleblowers, truth-tellers — about why now is the moment to speak up?”

Without flinching, Booker urged, “Stand up and fight.”

He added, “I’m not intimidated. Whether the president insults me on social media or threatens legal action, I’ll keep fighting. None of that frightens me.”

Booker pointed to recent federal arrests involving Newark officials as part of what he described as a broader effort to silence critics.

“I’ve had conversations with senators I never imagined aligning with — especially after what happened to my Congresswoman, LaMonica McIver. She’s been arrested. So has my mayor. It’s clear they’re targeting Newark’s elected leaders,” he said. “But I won’t back down. If they want to throw me in jail, let them. I’m going to keep pushing for justice.”

He called on others to summon the same courage.

“When one person stands up, it often inspires others to do the same,” Booker said. “Right now, as our rights and democracy are being tested by this administration, we need more people willing to fight back and speak the truth.”

Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, also a Democrat from New Jersey, was charged by the Department of Justice in May for allegedly assaulting federal immigration officers. The charges stem from an altercation at a detention facility, which was reportedly captured on video.

At her first virtual court appearance, a judge ordered McIver to give up her firearms and banned her from international travel unless it’s for official duties — and only with advance notice to authorities. Her preliminary hearing took place on June 11.

According to Fox News, McIver has launched a fundraising campaign to contest the charges, which she insists are racially and politically motivated.

In a video statement, the 38-year-old congresswoman maintained her innocence, saying, “This is political theater. I was just doing my job.” She criticized ICE agents for escalating the encounter, although footage reportedly shows her physically confronting them.

“If I can be prosecuted for simply doing my job, then that says a lot about where our country is heading,” McIver told CNN.

Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba — who previously served as Donald Trump’s legal counsel — insisted the charges are about upholding the law, not politics.

“Assaulting federal officers cannot be tolerated under any circumstance,” Habba said in a statement to the New York Post. “This isn’t about congressional oversight. It’s about the rule of law and protecting those who serve.”