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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Friday dismissed charges against Arizona Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva, who claimed she was pepper sprayed during an immigration raid in Tucson.
In a post on
“ICE just raided Taco Giro in Tucson – a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for years,” Grijalva wrote. “When I presented myself to a member of Congress for more information, I was pushed aside and pepper sprayed.”
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In a post on (via @Rep_Grijalva x)
In a separate post, Grijalva called ICE a “lawless agency” operating “with no transparency, no accountability, and a blatant disregard for basic due process.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin quickly hit back at Grijalva’s claims, saying he was never directly sprayed, but only by “somebody in the neighborhood.”
McLaughlin said, “If his claims were true, it would be a medical miracle.” “But those are not true. She was not pepper sprayed. She was around someone who was pepper sprayed because they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement.”
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McLaughlin also said that two law enforcement officers were “seriously injured” during the incident.
“In fact, 2 law enforcement officers were seriously injured by this mob [Grijalva] “Involved,” he added, adding, “Representing yourself as a ‘Member of Congress’ does not give you the right to obstruct law enforcement.” “More details coming.”
The clash prompted the Congressional Progressive Caucus – which includes about 100 Democratic lawmakers – to demand a congressional investigation.
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DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said two law enforcement officers were “seriously injured” during the incident in Tucson. (DHS.gov)
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., a vice chair of the caucus, condemned the incident as a “disgusting display of violence” against Grijalva and warned that it represents “a dangerous moment for American democracy.”
The controversy comes a day after DHS announced it had detained at least a dozen people criminal illegal immigrant – During Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis – including “child sex offenders, domestic abusers and violent gang members”.
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“No matter when or where, ICE will find, arrest and deport all criminal illegal aliens,” McLaughlin said.
DHS and Grijalva did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman contributed to this report.
