Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) engaged in a shouting match during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, June 30 [2].
The confrontation highlights the deep partisan divide over sanctuary-city policies and the impact of illegal immigration on public safety in major U.S. cities.
The hearing focused on immigration policy and the role of sanctuary cities in the death of Sheridan Gorman, a college student in Chicago [1]. During the proceedings, Lawler said that Gorman was shot and killed by an illegal immigrant who had entered the United States and was previously arrested but not deported [3].
Lawler's comments sparked a confrontation with Raskin, which escalated into a verbal altercation. According to reports, Raskin said to Lawler, "You're a disgrace" [4]. The exchange intensified further when Raskin told Lawler to "get the hell out" [5].
Jessica Gorman, the mother of the deceased, also appeared as a witness during the hearing [1]. The tension between the two representatives occurred as the committee examined how local policies affect the deportation of undocumented individuals with criminal records.
The incident occurred in Washington, D.C., as part of the committee's broader investigation into sanctuary-city governance [1]. The clash reflects a recurring pattern of volatility within the House Judiciary Committee when addressing immigration enforcement.
“"Get the hell out"”
This confrontation underscores the high emotional and political stakes surrounding the debate over sanctuary cities. By centering the discussion on a specific victim, lawmakers are shifting the policy debate from abstract legal frameworks to the tangible consequences of immigration enforcement failures, further polarizing the legislative approach to border and city security.
