Current:Home > StocksNorth Dakota Republican leaders call on state rep to resign after slurs to police during DUI stop -Streamline Finance
North Dakota Republican leaders call on state rep to resign after slurs to police during DUI stop
View
Date:2025-04-16 21:20:40
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Republican leaders have called on a North Dakota lawmaker to resign after he lashed out at police with homophobic and anti-migrant remarks during a traffic stop earlier this month in which he was arrested for drunken driving.
Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said Tuesday he called on Republican state Rep. Nico Rios, of Williston, to resign over the weekend. His statement cited a police officer’s report of Rios being “verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory” toward him “for the entire duration of the incident following road side testing.” Lefor also said Rios attempted to use his position as a lawmaker to intimidate police and avoid an arrest.
“There is no room in the legislature, or our party, for this behavior. I understand people make mistakes, but his comments and defiance to law enforcement are beyond the pale. In addition, any lawmaker attempting to use his or her elected position to threaten anyone or skirt the law is completely unacceptable,” Lefor said in a statement.
Rios replied to an email seeking comment, but he had no immediate response. His attorney did not respond to a phone message.
In previous comments, Rios said his behavior toward the police was unacceptable, that he was sorry and vowed “to make sure this never happens again.”
North Dakota Republican Party Chairwoman Sandi Sanford joined Lefor, saying, “Rep. Rios’ actions and words fall short of the basic decency we expect from any of our neighbors. He endangered the community he was elected to serve and disrespected peace officers. This violates our core values as Republicans.”
Police body camera footage requested by and provided to The Associated Press shows Rios cursing the officer, questioning his English accent, and using homophobic slurs and anti-migrant language. He also said he would call the North Dakota attorney general about the situation. He told the officers they would “regret picking on me because you don’t know who ... I am.” Forum News Service first reported on Rios’ comments.
Rios said he was leaving a Christmas party before the Dec. 15 traffic stop. He was charged with misdemeanor counts of drunken driving and refusing to provide a chemical test. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference on Feb. 5 in municipal court.
Rios, who works in an oil field position involved in the hydraulic fracturing of wells, was elected in 2022 to the state House of Representatives. He sits on the House Judiciary Committee, a panel that handles law enforcement legislation.
Republicans control the North Dakota House, 82-12.
veryGood! (1359)
Related
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- A year after Ohio derailment, U.S. freight trains remain largely unregulated
- Missouri coroner accused of stealing from a dead person, misstating causes of death
- Snoop Dogg and Master P sue Walmart and Post for trying to sabotage its cereal
- Elon Musk’s Daughter Vivian Calls Him “Absolutely Pathetic” and a “Serial Adulterer”
- Devin Hester makes history as first return specialist selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Jon Stewart changed late-night comedy once. Can he have a second act in different times?
- The 42 Best Amazon Deals This Month- 60% off Samsonite, Beats Headphones, UGG, Plus $3 Beauty Saviors
- 3 years after the NFL added a 17th game, the push for an 18th gets stronger
- The Daily Money: Are they coming for my 401(k)?
Ranking
- Police remove gator from pool in North Carolina town: Watch video of 'arrest'
- New Hampshire Senate votes to move state primary from September to June. The House wants August
- US has enough funds for now to continue training Ukrainian pilots on F-16, National Guard chief says
- Tennessee authorities search for suspect in shooting of 2 sheriff’s deputies
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Police to address special commission investigating response to Maine mass shooting
- Usher to discuss upcoming Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas
- 50 pounds of chewed gum: Red Rocks Amphitheater volunteers remove sticky mess from seats
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Arizona faces Friday deadline for giving counties more time to count votes
Why aren't more teams trying to clone 49ers star Kyle Juszczyk? He explains why they can't
Gov. Shapiro seeks school-funding boost to help poorer districts, but Republicans remain wary
Olympic disqualification of gold medal hopeful exposes 'dark side' of women's wrestling
A West Virginia ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ is an effort to suppress transgender people, critics say
Why aren't more teams trying to clone 49ers star Kyle Juszczyk? He explains why they can't
Sewage Across Borders: The Tijuana River Is Spewing Wastewater Into San Diego Amid Historic Storms, Which Could Threaten Public Health