WATCH: Arizona Democrat Rep. Grijalva Claims ICE Pepper-Sprayed Her “In the Face” as She Obstructed Agents – But Video and DHS Say Otherwise

Democrat Rep. Adelita Grijalva (AZ) on Friday claimed she was shoved and pepper-sprayed “in the face” as she approached ICE agents.

Approximately 40 ICE agents conducted a raid by a restaurant in Tucson, Arizona, on Friday when Grijalva attempted to obstruct their activity.

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

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

“I was here…and 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,” she said.

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

However, the video of the incident shows that Rep. Grijalva was not pepper-sprayed in the face.

Grijalva was actually obstructing ICE agents and not listening to lawful orders to back up.

WATCH:

DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin blasted Rep. Grijalva after the Democrat lied about being pepper-sprayed in the face.

Full statement from Tricia McLaughlin:

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 injured by this mob that Re. Grijalva joined.

Presenting one’s self 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