A North Dakota politician told police they would “regret electing him” and threatened to call the attorney general during his racist and homophobic rant when he was arrested for drunken driving after a Christmas party last Friday.
Rep. Nico Rios, a Williston Republican lawmaker, was arrested and charged with DUI and refusing to submit to a chemical test, according to the Bismarck Tribune.
He was pulled over when officers realized police failed to stay in his lane, prompting Rios to become “abusive, homophobic, racist and discriminatory,” according to arrest records obtained by the outlet.
Rios was captured on body camera footage attempting to hand over his business card when officers asked for his license and registration during the stop.
The lawmaker underwent a field sobriety test and refused to take a breathalyzer test, telling officers he was only two blocks from where he was pulled over.
“You guys are going to regret picking me because you don’t know who I am,” Rios told officials.
Nico Rios complied when asked to take a field sobriety test, but refused to take a breathalyzer test when asked by an officer. AP
Rios was handcuffed and read his rights before he asked the officer, “What can I do to drive my truck and deliver him to my place?”
When he was told he was going to jail, Rios called an officer a “f-king f—-t.”
He was placed in the back of the officer’s squad car and asked for his phone so he could call North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley to tell him that the officer was “being an ass to me.”
Throughout his interactions with the officers, Rios spewed numerous homophobic and nasty slurs at them. Youtube/The Bismarck Tribune
Rios, who was sitting in the back seat of a police cruiser, turned his criticism of Officer Alexander Welch, an English-born American, as the lawmaker pointed out the officer’s accent and oddly claimed that he didn’t think “people from England should arrest people America.”
“Your country is being overrun by immigrants and runaway kings, isn’t it?” Rios asked, citing the refugee crisis in England.
“You arrested me for driving home. But people come to your country and rape your women. And I’m a great bad guy? I will fight for the people of England more than you ever did, little bitch.”
Rios was elected representative in North Dakota in 2022. AP
Welch refused to respond to Rios’ lewd remarks as the deputy continued to belittle him from behind the car, body camera footage showed.
“You ruined my life so you could make a f–king paycheck,” Rios reportedly told the officer before hurling another homophobic slur at him.
Rios was elected to his first term in 2022 following the creation of District 23, which covers parts of Williston, Trenton, and Buford in North Dakota.
The new MP has apologized for his crude profanity-laced comments after body camera footage was released showing his actions. Youtube/The Bismarck Tribune
The “deeply embarrassed” MP apologized on December 18 for the rant.
“Last weekend, I had too many drinks at a Christmas party, made the mistake of driving home and received a DUI,” Rios said in a statement on X.
“I am very ashamed because this is not the way I want to represent the people. My bad decision that night will not hinder my ability to represent and fight for the people of District 23. I deeply regret and regret my actions.”
Rios said he will get “appropriate help to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
The two charges Rios faces are misdemeanors under state law. Rep. Nico Rios, R-Williston
The North Dakota Democratic Party-NPL insinuated Rios should resign for his despicable actions on Thursday.
“It used to be that when civil servants humiliated themselves, they resigned instead of embarrassing those they represented,” said party Chairman Adam Goldwyn in a statement.
“It seems the Republican Party no longer has any sense of shame. Democrats are committed to governing with honor and dignity for all of us.”
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Rios did not contact him the night of his arrest. AP
Rios’ side condemned his actions as “very problematic”.
“We are deeply troubled by Rep. Rios’ dangerous decision to drive while intoxicated and his statements to law enforcement officers,” State Republican Party Executive Director Andrew Nyhus told the outlet, adding, “his behavior does not represent NDGOP values.”
Both charges are misdemeanors under state law. Rios is scheduled for a Feb. 5 pretrial conference in municipal court.
Rios was also cited for having an open container of alcohol in his truck.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
