GOP Senator and Congressman Feud Over Request for Cops to Check Immigration Status of All SOTU Attendees
Rep. Gosar Want Police ‘Arresting Any Illegal Aliens in Attendance’
Two Arizona Republicans are battling it out on Twitter over a GOP Congressman’s attempt to have all attendees to the State of the Union address show their papers – prove they are U.S. citizens or in the country legally.
Several Democrats announced they have invited Dreamers as their guests to view Trump’s address.
Tea Party Republican Congressman Paul Gosar (photo, left) says he has asked the Capitol police and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to check the immigration status of everyone in attendance and to arrest and deport any “illegal aliens.”
Gosar hails from Arizona, where immigration is a major political issue. After the Charlottesville neo-Nazi and “alt-right” rally that ended with the death of an activist protesting white supremacists, Rep. Gosar falsely claimed the event may have been funded by George Soros and was designed to sow racial discord in an attempt to embarrass the president.
Tuesday Gosar posted this tweet:
Today, Congressman Paul Gosar contacted the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as Attorney General Jeff Sessions, asking they consider checking identification of all attending the State of the Union address and arresting any illegal aliens in attendance.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018
“Of all the places where the Rule of Law needs to be enforced, it should be in the hallowed halls of Congress. Any illegal aliens attempting to go through security, under any pretext of invitation or otherwise, should be arrested and deported,” said Congressman Gosar.
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018
In response, Republican Senator Jeff Flake, who is not seeking re-election, went after Gosar:
This is why we can’t have nice things… https://t.co/2vLHDFvFgq
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) January 30, 2018
Gosar shot back:
This is why you got forced out of office. https://t.co/XWNdJUoEhC
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018
Flake has frequently criticized President Trump, although he has usually voted for Trump’s legislation. He faced a challenging re-election bid and opted to retire.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan reportedly is not in agreement with Gosar:
Ryan spox @AshLeeStrong on Gosar call for Capitol Police to be on look out for Dreamers at SOTU: “The speaker clearly does not agree.” per @FoxReports
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 30, 2018
Nor does Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer:
.@RepGosar, #Dreamers are not a threat; they represent the best of our country, and the majority of Americans and Congress stand behind them. Stop planting seeds of division and fear and instead get to work on finding a solution. #SOTU #HeretoStay
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 30, 2018
Images of Paul Gosar, Jeff Flake by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |