DHS pushes back on new Dem Rep's claim of being pepper-sprayed in Tucson raid

McLaughlin confirmed the raid but denied that Grijalva was directly sprayed, highlighting that the Arizonan would be a "medical marvel" if her claims were true.

By Misty Severi

Published: December 5, 2025 8:24pm

Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin pushed back Friday on allegations from new Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva that she was pepper-sprayed by a "very aggressive" immigration officer.

Grijalva made the claim in a social media video on X earlier Friday, accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials of spraying her during a raid in Tucson, Arizona, after she and community members stopped dozens of ICE officers in the middle of a street near a local restaurant.

“I was here — this is like the restaurant I come to literally once a week — and was sprayed in the face by a very aggressive agent, pushed around by others, when I literally was not being aggressive,” Grijalva said. “I was asking for clarification, which is my right as a member of Congress.”

The Democrat claimed that her staff had also been pushed and pepper-sprayed by the federal officers.

McLaughlin confirmed the raid but denied that Grijalva was directly sprayed, highlighting that the Arizonan would be a "medical marvel" if her claims were true.

"They're not true. She was not pepper sprayed. She was in the vicinity of someone who *was* pepper sprayed as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement," McLaughlin said on X. "In fact, 2 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," she continued. "More information forthcoming."

Grijalva later accused ICE of being a "lawless agency" under the Trump administration and claimed that people in her community were not being given due process.

"If federal agents are brazen enough to fire pellets directly at a Member of Congress, imagine how they behave when encountering defenseless members of our community," she said. "It’s time for Congress to rein in this rogue agency NOW."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.