'Product of hate': Outrage erupts as Rep Nico Rios hurls homophobic slurs during DUI arrest in viral clip

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

WILLISTON, NORTH DAKOTA: A North Dakota state lawmaker who serves on a legislative committee overseeing law enforcement unleashed a shocking homophobic and racist tirade when a police officer arrested him for drunk driving last week.

Republican Rep. Nico Rios of Williston faces charges of driving under the influence and refusing to submit to a chemical test after Williston police pulled him over on December 15 for failing to stay in his lane.

Body camera footage released this week shows Rios hurling slurs and insults at the arresting officer in an expletive-laced rant during the traffic stop and subsequent booking, as reported by Daily Mail.

Nico Rios hurled insults while being pulled over for DUI

Around midnight on December 15, officer Welch pulled over Rios in Williston, ND for failing to stay in his lane. What followed, according to Welch's report, was Rios becoming "verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory" for the entire encounter.

The body cam footage captures Rios' shocking rant, which included repeated homophobic slurs aimed at officer Welch in his patrol car and the booking station at the jail. Rios also questioned Welch's English accent, ignorantly implying he was an immigrant terrorizing "brown people."

"You come from f****** London f****** England to terrorize brown people, you b******," Rios drunkenly slurs. He goes on to accuse officer Welch of "selling his soul to globalism" and claims immigrants are "coming to your country and raping your women."

He also threatened Welch, saying "You need to make a paycheck. You're ruining my life so you can make a paycheck you little b****." Rios further uses multiple homophobic slurs, calling the officer a "f*g," "pathetic and weak” and a "motherf******."

Nico Rios worked for Ted Cruz before moving to North Dakota

The shocking incident involving the first-term GOP lawmaker is exacerbated by Rios' role on North Dakota's House Judiciary Committee. The committee handles law enforcement legislation that impacts the very officers Rios berated during his arrest.

Rios, who moved to North Dakota from Chicago in 2014, issued an emailed apology after the video's release. "Inebriated or not my actions and words to law enforcement that night were absolutely unacceptable," he wrote, vowing it would never happen again.

Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor said he is exploring disciplinary options, pointedly declining to rule out asking Rios to step down. “I’ve heard enough about it,” Lefor said about the video and added, “I’m looking at the options that are in front of me.”

The 30-year-old Rios, who was elected to his first term last year, has deep ties to the national Republican Party. Before moving to North Dakota, he worked in Sen. Ted Cruz’s Washington DC office.

Internet reacts with condemnation in response to Nico Rios' viral footage

Following the release of the footage showing Nico Rios hurling homophobic slurs, the internet erupted in a storm of condemnation. One X user pointed out, "He's the product of the hate and lies that Trump and Republicans spew daily via Fox News and other similar outlets."

Another user wrote, "Driving under the influence with a side of bigotry – quite the cocktail for a lawmaker. Talk about deflection! This guy gets pulled over, and suddenly, it's a wild rant about others. Classic distraction tactic from someone in hot water."

Reflecting on the situation in a hypothetical context, a user remarked, "In a normal time, this guy would have resigned once he sobered up and saw his conduct. But I am sure MAGA will rally."

Others echoed sentiments of disapproval, with one person bluntly stating, "Disgusting," while another wrote, "Shameful disgrace."

Adding a touch of irony, a user sarcastically noted, "Aren’t these guys supposed to be the 'pro-law and order' people?"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.