Additional Coverage:
- ‘Disgusting’ Riley Gaines slammed as she claims ‘it’s pretty easy to not get shot by ICE’ (irishstar.com)
Riley Gaines Sparks Outrage with Comments on ICE Shooting During Fox News Appearance
Riley Gaines, a 26-year-old political commentator known for her MAGA-aligned views, faced widespread backlash after making controversial remarks about an ICE shooting incident on Fox News. The comments came during a July 11 episode of The Big Weekend Show, where Gaines addressed the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 53-year-old Mexican national, by ICE agents in Houston.
Salgado Araujo, who had no criminal record, was mistakenly identified during a traffic stop and fatally shot by ICE officers, prompting national outrage and an ongoing investigation. During the panel discussion, Gaines stated, “No one wants to see lives lost.
I don’t want to see an ICE agent shot, and I certainly don’t want to see an illegal immigrant shot.” She expressed a preference for deportation over death but framed the incident within broader criticisms of U.S. immigration policy, calling the situation a result of “years of open borders” leading to “chaos” in communities.
The most contentious moment came when Gaines asserted, “It’s pretty easy to not get shot by an ICE officer,” claiming that illegal immigrants had been warned and even encouraged to pursue legal immigration pathways. She added, “If you’re still here in this country illegally at this point, be prepared to be forcefully removed. If you’re trying to harm a law enforcement officer, be prepared that they’re ready to eliminate the threat.”
These remarks quickly drew sharp rebukes from viewers on social media, who highlighted that other individuals-specifically Alex Pretti and Renee Good-had been fatally shot despite being American citizens, not undocumented immigrants. Critics labeled Gaines’ comments as “disgusting” and called attention to the broader issue of violence involving law enforcement officers.
One social media user remarked, “Renee Good and Alex Pretti have entered the chat. Or rather would, if they were still alive.” Another questioned the morality of suggesting that being shot is an acceptable consequence of illegal immigration and pointed out inconsistencies regarding Gaines’ own family background.
The controversy underscores the heightened sensitivities around immigration enforcement and law enforcement use of force, as well as the polarized nature of public discourse on these issues. The investigation into the Houston ICE shooting continues amid calls for accountability and reform.