During a House Oversight Committee hearing on sanctuary cities Wednesday, Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) launched into a profanity-laced tirade instead of directing substantive questions at the mayors of sanctuary cities who were testifying before the committee.
The hearing focused on the impact of sanctuary city policies, which prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities in detaining and deporting illegal immigrants, including those with violent criminal records.
However, rather than addressing the issue at hand, Stansbury used her time to criticize President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies in a profanity-filled outburst.
Elon Musk Called This Financial News ‘Terrifying’
“I always think that we should sage this room after these hearings because we hear a lot of crazy stuff in here,” Stansbury said, opening her remarks with an apparent mockery of the committee’s proceedings.
She then turned her attention to the Democratic mayors who were testifying, claiming they were being “threatened” by Republicans.
“Our mayors are sitting here, enduring this ridiculous, ridiculous hearing as they’ve been threatened in front of the American people.”
Stansbury then dismissed the discussion on sanctuary cities as a political attack against illegal immigrants, while launching into a direct rebuke of President Trump’s enforcement efforts.
“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 dollars 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,” she claimed.
Then, raising her voice, she shouted: “It’s total bullsh*t, absolute bullsh*t!”
“They are not making America safer again, and what they are doing is terrorizing immigrant families. That is what they are doing,” she added.
Democrat Rep. Melanie Stansbury has a meltdown over Trump‘s border policies. Claims “it’s bullshit“ that cracking down on criminal illegals makes our cities safer. pic.twitter.com/4mlIUrPq0e
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 5, 2025
Stansbury’s outburst in the committee hearing follows another spectacle she created just the night before.
During President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, Stansbury held up a sign reading “this is not normal” as Trump walked past her upon entering the chamber.
The stunt was quickly cut short when a Republican lawmaker snatched the sign from her hands and tossed it into the air, leaving Stansbury visibly flustered.
WHO SAYS REPUBLICANS CAN’T REACH ACROSS THE AISLE?
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) grabs protest sign from Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) and tosses it into the air. pic.twitter.com/lVDeoFLiJK
— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) March 5, 2025
This latest display adds to the growing criticism that Stansbury is more interested in grandstanding than engaging in substantive debate.
While the House Oversight Committee examined policies that critics say shield dangerous criminals from deportation, Stansbury instead focused on hurling profanities and staging protests rather than addressing the concerns raised by lawmakers and witnesses.
The hearing came as Republican lawmakers continue to push for stronger enforcement against sanctuary city policies, which they argue create dangerous loopholes that allow violent criminals to remain in the country.
The Trump administration has prioritized deporting illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds, while cities with sanctuary policies have resisted federal cooperation efforts.
While Stansbury’s remarks drew attention, they overshadowed the ongoing debate about whether sanctuary city policies are putting American communities at risk.
The committee hearing featured testimony from city officials and law enforcement representatives, who provided insight into how these policies impact public safety.
With immigration enforcement remaining a key issue under Trump’s leadership, Stansbury’s theatrics appear to be the latest attempt to deflect from serious discussions on border security and public safety.
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.
