By Staff Reporter |
Rep. Adelita Grijalva claimed ICE agents pepper sprayed her; the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) debunked her version of events.
Instead, DHS says Grijalva joined the mob attempting to obstruct an immigration raid on a Tucson taco restaurant chain.
In a video posted on Friday to X, Grijalva said ICE had just “pushed aside and pepper sprayed” her after she allegedly attempted to intervene with their raid by presenting herself as an elected official.
Grijalva didn’t show any signs of physical distress typical of a pepper spray recipient until well over a minute after the video started, when she gave one single cough after mentioning the pepper spray incident following her story about the raid.
“[I] was sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent, pushed around by others, when I literally was not being aggressive, I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress,” said Grijalva. “Everybody that was with me, my staff member, myself, two staff members, we have like remnants of whatever they sprayed on us.”
Pepper spray usually results in a severe burning sensation in the eyes, skin, and throat, and may temporarily blind and restrict breathing. These symptoms manifest as red, swollen, closed, teary eyes; gasping and coughing; red and itchy skin; and possibly a runny nose and dizziness. Apart from the single cough, Grijalva didn’t exhibit any of those symptoms.
These effects last an hour at least, with some residuals lasting up to 24 hours.
In her video, Grijalva described those unlawfully intervening with immigration enforcement as “protecting their people.” Grijalva complained law enforcement were “rude and disrespectful” when she tried to exert some control over the situation.
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, said Grijalva’s physical wellness following the altercation would be “a medical marvel,” and served as further proof that she wasn’t targeted by ICE agents.
“She wasn’t pepper sprayed. She was in the vicinity of someone who *was* pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement,” said McLaughlin. “In fact, two law enforcement officers were seriously injured by this mob that [Grijalva] joined. Presenting one’s self as a ‘Member of Congress’ doesn’t give you the right to obstruct law enforcement.”
A video of Grijalva posted of the moment she claimed ICE agents attacked her shows Grijalva repeatedly approaching ICE agents in an attempt to intervene with their arrests of illegal immigrants.
Grijalva posted a snippet of the video showing a gas canister hitting near her feet as she approached ICE agents.
Other videos of Grijalva showed her telling ICE agents to release a rioter being detained for intervening with immigration enforcement.
On Monday, Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller announced a partnership with ICE in a press briefing. Miller said sanctuary cities and the progressive politicians who create and support them were to blame for the harboring of criminal illegal immigrants, specifically calling out Reps. Grijalva and Yassamin Ansari. Miller compared Grijalva to Jussie Smollett, the actor who falsely claimed Trump supporters perpetrated a hate crime against him in 2019.
“Politicans like Representatives Grijalva and Ansari have made people believe that they are safe in those cities. I’m here to let you know they’re not. There are no sanctuary cities in Arizona,” said Miller.
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