HOT MIC: Democrat Mayor Caught Discussing Protester Ban

Democratic Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty and Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes were caught on a hot mic discussing whether disruptive activists could be barred from future city council meetings after anti-ICE protesters repeatedly hijacked a meeting this week.

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The exchange occurred Tuesday after the Sacramento City Council recessed and removed the audience following multiple interruptions during a contentious debate over the city’s participation in the Central California Intelligence Center (CCIC), a federally funded intelligence-sharing hub.

A livestream of the meeting reviewed by Fox News captured Talamantes approaching McCarty while his microphone remained live. “We should go over this disruptions thing, because if we want to ban somebody in the future, like to take them out, we have to point out specifically …” Talamantes said.

“I know, but the city attorney said we can’t do that,” McCarty replied.

“We did it last time,” Talamantes responded.

“We can’t,” McCarty said. “I spent my first six months going over this. I wanted to give people, like, probation, like, you can’t come …”

Talamantes then reached down to turn off the microphone and the conversation continued off-camera. The discussion came after a lengthy public comment period devolved into repeated shouting matches over the city’s continued acceptance of federal funding for the intelligence center.

The opponents claimed the intelligence center could facilitate cooperation with federal immigration authorities despite California’s sanctuary laws. Sacramento police however, contests that the city complies with California state law and doesn’t share any identifying information.

As deliberations continued, audience members repeatedly interrupted council members. One attendee shouted at McCarty, “Kevin, I need your f*cking eyes. Kevin, listen to me. Stop being an a**hole, dude.”

After Talamantes finished speaking, another protester yelled, “You’re a pick-me b*tch,”

McCarty issued what he called a “final notice,” warning the audience that continued disruptions would force officials to clear the chamber.

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Moments later, attendees continued shouting. “You can’t do this behind closed f*cking doors!” one protester yelled.

“We are the community,” another shouted. Council officials then recessed the meeting and ordered the public removed before resuming business. Afterward, McCarty revealed that the discussion away from the public concerned rules already on the books rather than any effort to create new rules on public participation.

“Every Tuesday, Vice Mayor Talamantes and I are responsible for overseeing and ensuring transparent, accessible, and open Council meetings,” McCarty said in a statement. “Unfortunately, when meetings are repeatedly disrupted, we must discuss existing policies and rules to ensure Council meetings remain effective, orderly, and respectful for both the residents in attendance and the Councilmembers.”

Talamantes similarly defended the discussion, saying the council has an obligation to maintain order while allowing public participation. She also condemned threats directed toward her and her family during recent meetings.

Sacramento’s published rules already allow the presiding officer to warn or remove disruptive attendees and, when necessary, clear the chambers so meetings can continue.

The hot-mic exchange nevertheless drew criticism from activists who attended the meeting. Joshua Masias, an organizer with the Sac Immigration Committee, argued Talamantes appeared eager to silence political opponents.

“It’s very authoritative how she wants to use her power,” Masias told The Sacramento Bee. “It stuck out to me that she was the only one to try to silence the crowd.”

The contentious meeting marked the latest in a string of Sacramento City Council sessions disrupted by anti-ICE activists, with several recent meetings interrupted by shouting, singing protests, and repeated confrontations between demonstrators and city officials.

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