Fox News host Jessica Tarlov drew widespread criticism Thursday after her comments on the arrest of an illegal immigrant at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., went viral.
The arrest involved a man with a dark criminal history, sparking debate over public safety, immigration enforcement and media coverage.
The incident began when federal agents stopped a vehicle and asked the driver, later identified as David Perez-Teofani, to exit.
He initially complied but attempted to flee, prompting officers to restrain him.
Video footage captured Perez-Teofani shouting in Spanish: “I don’t owe anything! I’m not a criminal! I want to be with my family! My family has papers!” as he was loaded into a government SUV, according to WRC.
Tarlov commented on the viral video, tweeting, “This doesn’t make D.C. safer. It’ll just make people not come to D.C. The cruelty is always the point.”
Her post was later deleted but quickly drew backlash from conservative commentators, lawmakers and social media users.
Department of Homeland Security officials confirmed that Perez-Teofani is an illegal immigrant from Mexico.
Critics also highlighted that he had previously been arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia, last January and charged with aggravated sexual battery against a child under 13, though the charges were later dropped after the alleged victim and her mother declined to cooperate with law enforcement, BizPac Review reports.
The revelation of these details prompted swift condemnation from lawmakers and conservative commentators.
“IDK about you, @JessicaTarlov, but I think child rapists should be off the street and offered capital punishment,” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) tweeted.
Deputy White House Adviser Stephen Miller added, “Why are you defending a criminal illegal alien charged with sexually assaulting a child?”
Social media users also voiced disapproval.
X user Michelle Maxwell wrote, “At what point does @FoxNews fire @JessicaTarlov? She is one of the reasons I stopped watching Fox years ago!”
X account I Meme Therefore I Am stated, “I dare you to interview the family of the minor he rped and then tell us what ‘cruelty’ really means, and how terrible the Trump administration and federal agents supposedly are for catching these pedophiles.”
Tarlov’s commentary highlights ongoing tension over media coverage of immigration enforcement and violent crime.
Conservatives note that federal authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have a mandate to apprehend individuals with serious criminal histories to protect public safety, particularly when minors are involved.
They emphasize that high-profile arrests like Perez-Teofani’s are essential to sending a message that violent offenders will be pursued regardless of immigration status.
The arrest also underscores the broader challenges faced by law enforcement when criminal illegal immigrants attempt to evade authorities.
Agencies must balance public safety concerns with legal obligations and due process.
Perez-Teofani remains in federal custody pending deportation proceedings, with officials stressing that apprehending individuals with violent criminal histories is critical to safeguarding communities.
Experts in criminal justice say that the case illustrates larger national debates over immigration enforcement, particularly the handling of illegal immigrants with violent or sexual criminal records.
Media analysts have noted that coverage of such arrests often sparks public disagreements over tone, context and responsibility.
Tarlov’s comments, in particular, have been cited as a flashpoint in these discussions.
The conversation continues online and in political circles, reflecting the ongoing tension between reporting facts, offering commentary and the reactions they provoke in the public sphere.
WATCH:
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Author: Gloriel Howard
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