Republican Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake and Republican Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar took public shots at each other on Tuesday, after Gosar suggested authorities detain any illegal immigrants in attendance at President Trump’s first State of the Union address.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will be bringing illegal immigrants who arrived as children as guests to Trump’s address Tuesday night. In a statement on Tuesday, Gosar suggested Capitol Police should check IDs at the door and arrest any illegal immigrants.
“Of all the places where the Rule of Law needs to be enforced, it should be in the hallowed halls of Congress. Any illegal aliens attempting to go through security, under any pretext of invitation or otherwise, should be arrested and deported,” Gosar said in a statement. There is no indication that congressional officials are acting upon Gosar’s recommendation.
Sen. Flake ridiculed Gosar’s statement on Twitter, writing: “This is why we can’t have nice things…” Gosar shot back: “This is why you got forced out of office.”
This is why we can’t have nice things… https://t.co/2vLHDFvFgq
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) January 30, 2018
This is why you got forced out of office. https://t.co/XWNdJUoEhC
— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) January 30, 2018
Flake announced in October he will not seek re-election in 2018. The senator, a consistent critic of President Trump, was deeply unpopular with the Republican base and was considered a long shot to win re-election.