Democrat Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury unleashed an expletive-laden tirade against Republicans during a House Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary cities, calling the proceedings “bulls–t” while defending Democratic mayors.
At a Glance
- Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) delivered a profanity-filled criticism of Republicans during a House hearing on sanctuary cities
- Democratic Mayors from New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Denver testified at the hearing regarding their sanctuary policies
- Stansbury accused Republicans of trying to intimidate local officials and “terrorizing immigrant families”
- The Congresswoman claimed the hearing was wasting taxpayer money and rejected its “fundamental premise”
- Stansbury criticized President Trump’s immigration policies as ineffective at making America safer
Fiery Exchange During Sanctuary City Hearing
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico, delivered harsh criticism of both Republicans and the Trump administration during a House Oversight Committee hearing focused on sanctuary cities. The hearing included testimony from Democratic Mayors of New York City, Boston, Chicago, and Denver – all leaders of cities with sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, even in cases involving illegal immigrants with criminal charges.
Stansbury’s remarks drew attention as she forcefully defended the Mayors present at the hearing. She characterized the proceeding as an attempt to intimidate local government officials who have implemented policies to protect immigrant populations from what Democrats consider excessive federal enforcement actions.
Rejecting the Premise
The New Mexico representative was unambiguous in her criticism of the hearing’s purpose. “I want to reject the fundamental premise of this hearing. Because what this entire effort is about is intimidating state and local officials, attacking law-abiding immigrant families and spending millions of taxpayer dollars both in the administration and in Congress to make ads that are complete smoke and mirrors, trying to say that Donald Trump has somehow secured America’s safety,” Stansbury said.
Sanctuary city policies have become a flashpoint in the national immigration debate. Supporters argue these policies foster trust between immigrant communities and local authorities, while critics contend they undermine federal law enforcement efforts and potentially endanger public safety by allowing criminal illegal immigrants to avoid deportation.
Criticizing Trump’s Immigration Policies
Stansbury’s comments escalated as she questioned the effectiveness of Trump-era immigration policies. She accused Republicans of using the hearing to create political theater rather than addressing substantive immigration reform. The Congresswoman also reminded those present that she had previously protested a Trump address to Congress by holding a sign reading “This is not normal” on the House floor.
“Its total bulls–t, absolute bulls–t. They are not making America safer again, and what they are doing is terrorizing immigrant families. That is what they are doing,” she declared.
While Republican committee members focused on the costs and public safety concerns associated with sanctuary policies, Democratic representatives like Stansbury defended the autonomy of local governments to determine how their law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration authorities.
