Sacramento Leaders Caught Discussing Protest Bans After Council Clears Chambers in Immigration Funding Clash
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 24
Sacramento Leaders Caught Discussing Protest Bans After Council Clears Chambers in Immigration Funding Clash
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 24
Summary
A live microphone caught Mayor Kevin McCarty and Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes discussing how to handle future disruptions after Sacramento cleared council chambers during a chaotic Tuesday meeting.
The exchange came after repeated outbursts derailed debate over Sacramento's continued role in the Central California Intelligence Center, which critics said could aid federal immigration enforcement despite the city's sanctuary policies.
McCarty was heard saying the city attorney had advised "we can't do that" on banning people, while Talamantes replied, "We did it last time" before realizing the microphone was still on and switching it off.
McCarty later said the conversation was about existing meeting procedures, not new restrictions, while the City Attorney's Office declined to comment on his reference to legal advice.
Activists seized on the hot-mic moment as evidence officials were trying to silence opponents, sharpening tensions around how Sacramento balances open meetings, public order and immigrant-protection politics.