North Dakota Lawmaker Arrested for DUI, Caught On Camera Making Xenophobic Comments [Comments]

A North Dakota politician is in hot water after he was recorded on camera making xenophobic and homophobic comments while he was being arrested for driving drunk.

Republican lawmaker Nico Rios was driving in the district he represents in Williston on December 15, when he was pulled over by police after he was observed swerving his car.

Officers approached Rios, who was behind the wheel, with their body cameras on. The 21-minute encounter has now gone viral.

The footage captures officers asking the lawmaker a series of questions. Rios can be heard slurring his words and lying, falsely claiming at one point that he doesn’t have an open beer bottle in his car, TMZ reported.

Rios is also accused of giving an expired registration to the officers. He was ordered to get out of his vehicle for a field sobriety exam.

During the test, Rios became agitated and started shouting threats at the officers, accusing them of “f—king picking on me” and promising they would regret it because of his status.

He was put in handcuffs after refusing a breathalyzer from one of the officers.

During the ride to the station, Rios provoked the British-born officer by making fun of his accent and claiming his country is being overrun by “f—king migrants and refugees.”

He also allegedly made a homophobic remark to the officer when he got to the station.

He was charged with DUI and refusing to provide a chemical test.

Following his release from custody, Rios posted a statement on X, expressing his deep sorrow and regret to the people of his district for making a “mistake.” However, he did not apologize to the officer he offended.

NEW VIDEO: ND State Rep. Nico Rios (R) unleased a racist and homophobic rant at police during his DUI arrest, calling an officer a "f–king f–got," ranting about migrants destroying England, and threatening to call the Attorney General.

Video first released by @bistrib. pic.twitter.com/nWnbgqPUb5

— Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) December 23, 2023