WATCH: Arizona Democrat Rep. Grijalva Claims ICE Pepper-Sprayed Her “In the Face” as She Obstructed Agents – But Video and DHS Say Otherwise
Democratic Representative Adelita Grijalva (AZ) said Friday that she was shoved and pepper-sprayed as she approached ICE agents during a raid in Tucson, Arizona.
The raid, which involved approximately 40 ICE agents, took place near Taco Giro, a locally owned restaurant in the city. Grijalva said she was attempting to engage with agents and request information about their actions.
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
“ICE just conducted a raid by Taco Giro in Tucson – a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for years,” Grijalva said. “When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed aside and pepper-sprayed. I was not being aggressive; I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress.”
However, video footage from the scene shows that Grijalva was not pepper-sprayed directly in the face.
According to DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, Grijalva was obstructing ICE agents and did not comply with lawful orders to step back. McLaughlin strongly criticized the congresswoman’s account:
“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 sprayed while obstructing and assaulting law enforcement. In fact, two law enforcement officers were seriously injured by the mob that Rep. Grijalva joined. Presenting oneself as a ‘Member of Congress’ does not give you the right to obstruct law enforcement.”
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
More details on the incident are expected to be released.
About Post Author
