Committee Chairman Has Intense Back and Forth With Congresswoman
The Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary city policies erupted into chaos Wednesday as Chairman James Comer and Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley clashed in a heated exchange over her attempt to submit articles into the congressional record. The moment underscored the growing tensions between Republicans pushing for stricter immigration enforcement and Democrats defending sanctuary city policies—even as crime committed by illegal immigrants continues to dominate headlines.
Pressley sought unanimous consent to enter a 2018 article claiming that U.S.-born Americans commit more murder and rape than immigrants. As she spoke, Comer interrupted, warning that Democrats were using disruptive tactics to gain media attention.
“This trend that you’re all trying to get thrown out of committees so you can get on MSNBC is gonna end,” Comer shot back. “We’re not gonna put up with it.”
Pressley, raising her voice, insisted that she had the right to submit her articles and emphasized her personal background as a survivor of sexual violence.
“This is my procedural right as a member of this committee to enter documents into the record,” she shouted. “I will reclaim my time. You do not get to dictate how I recite the articles for the record.”
Comer, however, refused to yield. “No, no. It is [Democratic Virginia Rep. Suhas] Subramanyam’s time,” he said, reiterating that she was not recognized under the rules of unanimous consent.
The explosive exchange occurred as mayors from major sanctuary cities—including Michelle Wu of Boston, Eric Adams of New York City, Brandon Johnson of Chicago, and Mike Johnston of Denver—testified before the Oversight Committee. They were grilled over their defiance of the Trump administration’s renewed crackdown on illegal immigration.
Since Trump’s return to office on Jan. 20, his administration has ramped up immigration enforcement, leading to over 20,000 illegal immigrant arrests in a single month—a staggering 627% increase compared to the Biden era, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Yet, despite these efforts, some mayors continue to resist federal deportation policies, with Denver’s Johnston initially threatening noncompliance before later walking back his remarks.
Former ICE Director Tom Homan has been vocal about the dangers posed by sanctuary city policies, highlighting cases where illegal immigrants accused of child rape were released rather than turned over to federal authorities. Homan’s team recently arrested multiple violent offenders in Massachusetts, including a Haitian gang member with 17 prior convictions.
Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration enforcement has already led to significant action. Between Feb. 5-16, ICE arrested 275 illegal immigrants with prior sex offense convictions. The administration has also drawn national attention to tragic cases like the rape and murder of 37-year-old Rachel Morin and 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray—both killed by illegal immigrants during Biden’s final year in office.
In honor of Nungaray, a young girl who loved animals, Trump announced during his congressional address that the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge would be renamed in her memory.