Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly threatened to put up a fight if law enforcement officials execute Republican Rep. Paul Gosar’s suggestion of arresting and deporting illegal immigrants in attendance at President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz, asked U.S. Capitol Police and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to check and see if any State of the Union attendees are in the country illegally after multiple Democratic lawmakers announced they would be bringing Dreamers to the speech.
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
Additionally, Congressman Gosar asked that they arrest those using fraudulent social security numbers and identification to pass through security.
— 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,” Gosar tweeted. “Any illegal aliens attempting to go through security, under any pretext of invitation or otherwise, should be arrested and deported.”
In response, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D- Va., wrote: “No one threatens my guest. You’ll have to go through me and break my bones first. #ProtectDREAMers.”
No one threatens my guest. You’ll have to go through me and break my bones first. #ProtectDREAMershttps://t.co/ndlXvx4CCp https://t.co/55iFt7DwR4
— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) January 30, 2018
Earlier this week, Connolly announced he would be one of more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers to bring Dreamers to Tuesday’s speech in a show of support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Other lawmakers quickly jumped in to push back at Gosar, including fellow Arizona Republican, Sen. Jeff Flake.
This is why we can’t have nice things… https://t.co/2vLHDFvFgq
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) January 30, 2018
To whom Gosar responded by suggesting that Flake was “forced out” of office, referring to his upcoming retirement.
This is why you got forced out of office. https://t.co/XWNdJUoEhC
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018
Democrats Rep. Joe Crowley, D- N.Y., Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, D-Fla., also responded to Gosar.
What’s wrong with you? https://t.co/PmZ8aMQGyN
— Rep. Joe Crowley (@repjoecrowley) January 30, 2018
This is outrageous: @HouseGOP Rep. Paul Gosar says he has asked Capitol Police and AG Sessions to arrest and deport #DREAMers at #SOTU tonight. America is better than this. RT if you agree. #DreamActNow pic.twitter.com/q7GdrgZvet
— Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 30, 2018
Oh my goodness, RepGosar. Dreamers don’t pose a threat to us. This is so drastic and cruel. Dios mío. https://t.co/PLKgvryhHW
— Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (@RosLehtinen) January 30, 2018
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the Gosar’s comments anti-Christian, telling Business Insider that for him to suggest such action “really dishonors the God who made us.”
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been working to find a solution to protect the program since the president announced it will be rescinded as of March 5th.
