North Dakota Republican lawmaker Nico Rios is refusing to step down despite mounting pressure from party leaders after a recent traffic stop led to his arrest on charges of drunken driving.
The incident has raised concerns not only for his legal troubles but also for the inflammatory language and behavior exhibited during the encounter with law enforcement.
Controversial Arrest
Rios, representing Williston, issued a statement on Wednesday expressing his intention to remain in office for the time being. Despite calls for immediate resignation, he stated, “I am seriously mulling all aspects of my future in the legislature.” Rios acknowledged the need for self-reflection, particularly in addressing issues related to alcoholism.
“As I weigh my future in the legislature, I am going to spend the next few months addressing my issues with alcoholism and getting the help I need,” Rios stated. He emphasized the importance of making decisions with a clear mind and outlined his commitment to breaking his chemical dependency on alcohol and repairing strained interpersonal relations.
Rios took responsibility for his actions during the traffic stop, which occurred on December 15. In the statement, he referred to his behavior as “disgusting” and issued apologies to those he had hurt, including law enforcement officers. He expressed a strong commitment to making amends and straightening out his life.
Read more: Kanye West Makes Amends: Rapper Apologizes To Jewish Community After Controversial Remarks
Concerns Mount Over North Dakota Lawmaker’s Inflammatory Language and Behavior
Police body camera footage obtained by the Associated Press revealed a confrontational encounter during the traffic stop. Rios was seen using profanity, questioning the officer’s English accent, and employing homophobic slurs and anti-migrant language. He also threatened to involve the North Dakota attorney general in the situation, warning the officers they would “regret picking on me because you don’t know who … I am.”
The controversy has not gone unnoticed within Rios’s own party. Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, along with state party officials, publicly called for Rios’s resignation, emphasizing that there is no room for such behavior in the legislature or the party.
Rios, who works in the oil field industry, was elected unopposed in 2022 to a four-year term in the state House of Representatives.
His current legal troubles add a layer of complexity to his role on the House Judiciary Committee, which deals with law enforcement legislation. A pretrial conference for Rios is scheduled for February 5 in municipal court.
As the political landscape in North Dakota grapples with this controversy, the unfolding events raise questions about the party’s stance on Rios’s continued presence in the legislature, particularly in a position that involves shaping law enforcement policies.
Read more: Search Continues For Missing Cruise Ship Passenger In Bahamas
