Homeland Security Responds After House Democrat Claims She Was “Pepper Sprayed” During ICE Raid

A Democrat congresswoman claimed she was “pushed-aside and pepper sprayed” when she identified herself as a member of Congress during an ICE raid in Arizona.

“ICE just conducted a raid by Taco Giro in Tucson – a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for years,” Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) said.

“When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed-aside and pepper sprayed,” she continued.

Grijalva claimed she was “sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent” and “pushed around by others” in a video posted to X.

Watch the video below:

Backup here if needed:

ICE just conducted a raid by Taco Giro in Tucson – a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for years.

When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed-aside and pepper sprayed. pic.twitter.com/gPx0p3IXP2

— Rep. Adelita Grijalva (@Rep_Grijalva) December 5, 2025

POLITICO has more:

Arizona Democrats were quick to criticize ICE, with Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) writing on social media that “Pepper-spraying a sitting member of Congress is disgraceful, unacceptable, and absolutely not what we voted for. Period.”

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes — who sued Johnson for failing to seat Grijalva in a timely manner — also called the incident “unacceptable and outrageous,” writing in a statement that “Effective law enforcement requires restraint and accountability, not unchecked aggression.”

“If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel. But they’re not true. She wasn’t pepper sprayed,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

“She was in the vicinity of someone who *was* pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement. In fact, 2 law enforcement officers were seriously injured by this mob that @Rep_Grijalva joined,” McLaughlin continued.

“Presenting one’s self as a ‘Member of Congress’ doesn’t give you the right to obstruct law enforcement. More information forthcoming,” she added.

If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel.

But they’re not true. She wasn’t pepper sprayed.

She was in the vicinity of someone who *was* pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement. In fact, 2 law enforcement officers were seriously… https://t.co/U0zspIuGxQ

— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) December 5, 2025

“ICE is a lawless agency under this Administration – operating with no transparency, no accountability, and open disregard for basic due process,” Grijalva said in another post that shared a video of some of the interactions.

“No family in our community should live in fear, and I will not rest until we get clear answers and accountability,” she added.

ICE is a lawless agency under this Administration – operating with no transparency, no accountability, and open disregard for basic due process.

No family in our community should live in fear, and I will not rest until we get clear answers and accountability. pic.twitter.com/Z2mUuRxHuX

— Rep. Adelita Grijalva (@Rep_Grijalva) December 5, 2025

Axios noted:

The alleged incident follows a series of physical confrontations this year between Democratic lawmakers and federal law enforcement, particularly ICE.

Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) is still being prosecuted by the Justice Department for an incident in which she and Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) and Rob Menendez (D-N.J.) scuffled with ICE officers.

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was also physically removed, thrown to the ground and handcuffed by FBI agents for trying to confront Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference.

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