Paul Ryan Distances From GOP Rep. Gosar’s Call to Arrest ‘Illegal Aliens’ at Trump SOTU
The far-right congressman called on police to arrest any undocumented immigrants brought into the building for Trump’s speech. Paul Ryan and other Republicans renounced him.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s office shot down a proposal tweeted by Republican House member on Tuesday suggesting Capitol Police arrest “any illegal aliens” who attended the president’s State of the Union address.
In a series of tweets from his official account, Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar said he asked the Capitol Police “as well as Attorney General Jeff Sessions” to “consider checking the identification of all attending the State of the Union address and arresting any illegal aliens in attendance.”
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,” read a second tweet.
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
The idea—which was almost certainly a stunt aimed at the dozens of DREAMers who will attend the State of the Union as guests of Democratic members—was quickly rejected by a spokeswoman for Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
“The speaker does not support this,” said spokeswoman AshLee Strong.
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Ryan wasn’t alone. His tweets provoked swift condemnation from both Republicans and Democrats:
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
This is why we can’t have nice things... https://t.co/2vLHDFvFgq
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) January 30, 2018
What’s wrong with you? https://t.co/PmZ8aMQGyN
— Rep. Joe Crowley (@repjoecrowley) January 30, 2018
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