Things got spicy in Tucson, Arizona, when a routine ICE raid turned into a political firestorm involving a Democrat congresswoman and accusations of rough treatment.

The clash centers on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation near Taco Giro, a beloved local restaurant, where Arizona Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva claims she was mistreated by federal agents, prompting a sharp rebuttal from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and calls for a congressional probe, as the New York Post reports.

The ICE raid unfolded near Taco Giro, a small mom-and-pop eatery that’s been a community staple in Tucson for years.

ICE Raid Sparks Unexpected Confrontation

During the operation, Rep. Grijalva approached officers, identifying herself as a member of Congress and requesting details about the raid.

She alleges that instead of answers, she was physically pushed and pepper-sprayed -- a claim that’s raised eyebrows and tempers on both sides of the aisle.

“ICE just conducted a raid at Taco Giro in Tucson -- a small mom-and-pop restaurant that has served our community for years. When I presented myself as a Member of Congress asking for more information, I was pushed aside and pepper-sprayed,” Grijalva stated, painting a vivid picture of federal overreach.

DHS Counters Grijalva’s Dramatic Claims

Let’s pump the brakes on that narrative, though -- DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin quickly fired back, clarifying that Grijalva wasn’t directly targeted with pepper spray but merely caught in the vicinity of someone who was.

“If her claims were true, this would be a medical marvel. But they’re not true,” McLaughlin said, dismissing the idea with a jab sharper than a cactus spine.

McLaughlin added that Grijalva was part of a crowd that allegedly turned hostile, resulting in two law enforcement officers sustaining serious injuries during the scuffle.

Escalating Tensions and Smoke Plumes

Adding fuel to the fire, a smoke plume reportedly erupted under Grijalva after a federal agent fired a pellet when she got too close to the action.

While progressives might call this a shocking abuse of power, one has to wonder if stepping into a tense law enforcement operation -- congressional badge or not -- comes with inherent risks.

This incident isn’t just a local dust-up; it’s part of a broader DHS push, coming just a day after the agency announced a major sweep in Minneapolis targeting dangerous offenders among unauthorized migrants.

Progressive Caucus Demands Answers

The fallout has been swift, with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a group of nearly 100 Democrat lawmakers, demanding a full investigation into the Tucson incident.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) didn’t mince words, calling it a “disgusting display of violence” against Grijalva and a “dangerous moment for American democracy,” though one might question if such rhetoric inflates a complex situation into a national crisis.

While the left cries foul, it’s worth asking if this push for probes is less about justice and more about scoring points against ICE -- a frequent target of progressive ire for simply enforcing existing immigration laws.