More on today’s fracas in the Texas House from the Texas Tribune:
State Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, said he called U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement while hundreds of people dressed in red T-shirts unfurled banners and chanted in opposition to the state’s new sanctuary cities law. His action enraged Hispanic legislators nearby, leading to a tussle in which each side accused the other of threats and violence.
In a statement, Rinaldi said state Rep. Poncho Nevárez, D-Eagle Pass, “threatened my life on the House floor,” and that Rinaldi is currently under the protection of the Department of Public Safety as a result. “I was pushed, jostled and someone threatened to kill me,” Rinaldi said. “It was basically just bullying.”
Hispanic Democratic lawmakers involved in the altercation said it wasn’t physical but indicated that Rinaldi got into people’s faces and cursed repeatedly. Video shot from the House floor shows both Republicans and Democrats pushing each other.
“He came up to us and said, ‘I’m glad I just called ICE to have all these people deported,’” said state Rep. César Blanco, D-El Paso, whose account was echoed by state Reps. Armando Walle, D-Houston, and Ramon Romero, D-Fort Worth. “He said, ‘I called ICE — fuck them,'” Romero added. Rinaldi also turned to the Democratic lawmakers and yelled, “Fuck you,” to the “point where spit was hitting” their faces, Romero said.
ICYMI: Shoving on the floor of the Texas House today after Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Farmers Branch, said he called ICE on protesters. (via KVUE) pic.twitter.com/NbJFy2wdGD
— Jason Whitely (@JasonWhitely) May 29, 2017
Joaquin Castro denounces Matt Rinaldi for calling ICE when hundreds protested against #SB4 in House gallery pic.twitter.com/v731qOARXa
— James Barragán (@James_Barragan) May 29, 2017
When asked to confirm that Rinaldi threatened to shoot a #TxLege Rep, Cortez said, "He did say that. There's no question." #SB4 https://t.co/AfxgtKjTiB
— Eva-Marie Ayala (@EvaMarieAyala) May 29, 2017
Matt Rinaldi is a disgrace to the House and his district, which deserves far better. Time for some big changes in #txlege
— Chris Turner (@ChrisGTurner) May 29, 2017
Members of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus call @MattRinaldiTX "a broken man." pic.twitter.com/rWDq6eL0E5
— Gromer M. Jeffers (@gromerjeffers) May 29, 2017
A statement regarding today. pic.twitter.com/M0BcBXa43P
— Matt Rinaldi (@MattRinaldiTX) May 29, 2017