The Department of Homeland Security pushed back Friday against statements made by Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who said she was pepper sprayed while seeking information from federal officers during an ICE enforcement action in Tucson.
The dispute centered on an immigration operation conducted near the Taco Giro restaurant, a location Grijalva referenced in a post on X.
In her public statement, Grijalva said she was attempting to speak with officers when the incident occurred.
“ICE just conducted a raid by Taco Giro in Tucson — a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for years,” she wrote.
“When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed aside and pepper sprayed.”
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
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She described ICE as a “lawless agency” that is “operating with no transparency, no accountability, and open disregard for basic due process,” calling for additional scrutiny of the agency’s actions.
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
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin rejected Grijalva’s claim, saying the congresswoman was not directly sprayed.
“If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel,” McLaughlin said.
“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.”
McLaughlin said two officers were injured during the encounter.
“In fact, 2 law enforcement officers were seriously injured by this mob that [Grijalva] joined,” she said.
McLaughlin added that identifying oneself as a federal lawmaker does not exempt a person from established procedures.
“Presenting oneself as a ‘member of Congress’ doesn’t give you the right to obstruct law enforcement. More information forthcoming.”
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
The exchange prompted the Congressional Progressive Caucus to call for a congressional investigation.
The caucus includes nearly 100 Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a deputy chair of the caucus, criticized the incident.
She described it as a “disgusting display of violence” against Grijalva and said it reflected “a dangerous moment for American democracy.”
The situation unfolded one day after federal immigration authorities announced the arrests of at least a dozen criminal illegal aliens during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.
DHS said those arrested included “child sex offenders, domestic abusers, and violent gang members.”
In the DHS announcement tied to the Minneapolis operation, McLaughlin said enforcement efforts remain active across the country.
“No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest, and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens,” she said.
You really think the American people are stupid, don’t you?
Luckily I saved the FULL video of you LYING about being pepper sprayed — even though you “conveniently” trimmed that section out of your post https://t.co/3c2TuW3XxK
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 6, 2025
