A dramatic confrontation between Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) and federal immigration agents erupted into a political firestorm Friday, after the freshman lawmaker accused ICE of physically shoving her and pepper-spraying her during a raid in her Tucson district. Hours later, the Department of Homeland Security blasted the charge as “false,” accusing Grijalva of joining a mob that obstructed officers and left two agents injured.

The clash unfolded Thursday afternoon near Taco Giro, a family-run restaurant known locally for its carne asada platters. ICE agents were conducting an operation targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records when bystanders began recording the scene — and Grijalva arrived moments later.

In a rapid-fire series of posts on X, Grijalva wrote:

“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.”

She followed up by accusing ICE of acting as a “lawless agency” that shows “open disregard for basic due process.”

DHS Says Her Story Doesn’t Add Up

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wasted no time punching back. In a blistering two-paragraph statement, she accused Grijalva of misrepresenting the incident:

“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 as they were obstructing and assaulting law enforcement.”

McLaughlin added that two ICE officers were seriously injured during the confrontation — something Grijalva did not mention — and accused the congresswoman of joining a “mob” interfering with a lawful arrest.

“Presenting oneself as a ‘member of Congress’ doesn’t give you the right to obstruct law enforcement,” McLaughlin said. “More information forthcoming.”

ICE has not clarified whether Grijalva was warned to move back or crossed a police perimeter, but officials insist she was not directly targeted.

Progressives Erupt: “A Dangerous Moment for Democracy”

The incident ignited immediate anger within the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which includes nearly 100 Democrats. They announced they would push for a congressional investigation into ICE’s conduct.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a deputy chair of the caucus, called it:

“A disgusting display of violence against a sitting Member of Congress.”

She warned it reflected a “dangerous moment for American democracy.”

Part of a Larger Crackdown

The standoff comes less than 24 hours after DHS touted the arrest of more than a dozen undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions — including child sex offenders, domestic abusers, and gang members — during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis.

McLaughlin signaled more raids are coming:

“No matter when and where, ICE will find, arrest, and deport ALL criminal illegal aliens.”

What’s Next

Both sides are digging in:

Progressives want hearings.

DHS is preparing to release bodycam footage.

Grijalva says she was “assaulted.”

DHS says she’s “lying.”

With tensions already high over President Trump’s renewed deportation push, Thursday’s clash may become a defining flashpoint in the widening war between the administration and its critics on Capitol Hill.