Democratic congresswoman claims she was pepper-sprayed during ICE raid in Arizona

Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva shared on Friday that she was pepper-sprayed and physically pushed during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Tucson, Arizona. This claim was immediately disputed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

In a video posted on X, the Arizona Democrat explained that the incident unfolded near a restaurant she often visits, where she encountered a scene involving approximately 40 ICE agents, most of whom were wearing masks and traveling in multiple vehicles. Grijalva noted that these agents had been "stopped" by a group of individuals who were concerned they were detaining people without due process.

Grijalva alleged that she was "sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent" and "pushed around by others," despite maintaining a non-confrontational stance. She further asserted that she was simply seeking clarification on the situation, which she believed was her right as a member of Congress.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, responded to Grijalva's video on X, stating that the congresswoman's claims were "not true." McLaughlin argued that if Grijalva's version of events were accurate, it would be "a medical marvel." She clarified that Grijalva was not the one who was pepper-sprayed, but was near someone who was, as that person was allegedly obstructing and assaulting law enforcement officers. McLaughlin also mentioned that two law enforcement officers were seriously injured by the crowd that Grijalva had joined, and she emphasized that being a member of Congress does not grant the right to interfere with law enforcement operations.

In response, Grijalva later shared another video showing uniformed officials spraying into a crowd that appeared to include both protesters and her staff. The footage captured Grijalva telling the crowd, "You guys need to calm down and get out."

In the initial video, Grijalva expressed her disappointment, noting that once she identified herself as a member of Congress, she expected the situation to de-escalate. However, she said only one person spoke to her in a civil manner, while others were rude and disrespectful. "If theyre treating me like that, I can only imagine how theyre treating everyone else," she added.

Grijalva also condemned the Trump administration's handling of immigration enforcement, calling it a major issue in the community. "The biggest problem we have in this community is Trump, who has no respect for due process, the rule of law, or the Constitution," she stated in the video. "Theyre literally disappearing people from the streets. They arrested two people, and we have no idea where they went."

Author: Riley Thompson