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By Andrew Stanton
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A congressional hearing on sanctuary cities descended into chaos amid a spat between Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, and Representative Ayanna Pressley, a Massachusetts Democrat.
Newsweek reached out to Comer's office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
On Wednesday, congressional Republicans led the session on sanctuary cities, which are municipalities that protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. Immigration remains one of the most divisive political issues and a key focus of President Donald Trump, who has implemented harsher border policies since his return to the White House in January.
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More than 200 cities and counties across the U.S. consider themselves sanctuaries, many of which face heightened scrutiny under the Trump administration.
What To Know
During the hearing, Democratic mayors of these sanctuary cities, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, New York Mayor Eric Adams and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, faced questioning from Republican lawmakers, who generally oppose sanctuary cities.
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Pressley sought to introduce articles into the official record on data showing that Texas-born citizens have a higher violent crime rate than migrants, pushing back on the argument that immigration is to blame for public safety concerns. Some studies show migrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens.
Comer, however, declined to allow the articles to be entered. "This trend of you all trying to get thrown out of committee so you can get on MSNBC is going to end. We're not going to put up with it," he said, while Pressley continued reading from the article she wanted to enter into the record.
She said it was her "procedural right as a member of this committee."
"You do not get to dictate how I recite articles for the record. And I take particular umbrage as a survivor of sexual violence. I will enter into the record, this is my right!" Pressley added.
Comer responded that she was not recognized then and sought to move to the next member of Congress after nearly two minutes of the pair speaking over each other.
Videos of the exchange went viral on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, amassing hundreds of thousands of views and drawing reactions from both sides of the aisle.
In a statement to Newsweek, a Pressley spokesperson said the representative was "exercising her right under committee rules to introduce articles into the record."
"Republicans in the hearing pushed rhetoric about immigrant families that is both harmful and false. Boston is the safest major city in America and we are home to a vibrant and diverse community. The Congresswoman is proud of her city and her Mayor, and she will always press to correct the record with facts and data," the statement said.
What People Are Saying
**Tennis legend Martina Navratilova posted on X: "**Comer is just another GOP bully. What goes up, will come down...."
NextGen America, a Democratic youth voter group, on X: "Comer's blatant abuse of power in this committee is a disgrace to leadership. Silencing voices you don't agree with won't erase the truth—it only proves how desperate you are to hide it."
Paul A. Szypula, an animator, on X: "Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) just completely lost her mind and screamed like a lunatic when Rep. James Comer (R-KY) insisted she follow committee rules for entering articles into the record. Democrats are now purposely trying to get thrown off committees."
What Happens Next
The debate over immigration policy is unlikely to end anytime soon, as Trump continues to implement more stringent restrictions.
Update 3/5/25, 5:40 p.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from Representative Pressley's office.
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