A far-right agitator sparked outrage this week when he testified before the Idaho House Commerce Committee while wearing offensive brownface attire.
David Pettinger, 49, came to discuss a bill regarding unauthorized workers in the state and the prospect of introducing an E-Verify program, wearing brown makeup, sunglasses, a wig, a beard and handcuffs around his wrists.
Amazingly, the panel’s acting chairman, Republican Rep. Josh Wheeler, allowed Pettinger to offer his testimony without objection, and he completed it in a timely manner in Spanish.
“El Jefe, friends,” he said. “No Harbrough Ingalls.”
According to reports, when Democratic Rep. Steve Burch questioned Pettinger’s costume and reminded the committee that this was not a forum for “performance theater,” Wheeler just smirked and directed the speaker to provide “direct testimony.” this idaho statesman.
David Pettinger wears offensive clothing to speak before the Idaho House Commerce Committee on Monday, February 23, 2026 (Idaho Public Television)
As Pettinger continued speaking in Spanish, another Republican representative, Brent Crane, asked for a break, during which the guest was persuaded to switch to English, which he did, using his platform to attack refugees and immigrants in the United States.
“I’m looking forward to giving you some entertainment and I think you’re going to enjoy this testimony even more, but since I don’t want to be handcuffed again by your friends in the Idaho State Patrol, we’ll leave it at that,” Pettinger said in closing remarks.
Democratic Rep. Nickerson Matthews, chairman of the House Queer Caucus, then tried to use his own time to rebuke Pettinger for the stunt, only to be interrupted by Wheeler who ordered him to resume his seat.
“I have to say what happened today is unacceptable,” Matthews said. “That person should be removed from this room.”
The acting chairman — who took office while the committee’s permanent chairman, Republican Rep. Jordan Redman, was introducing the bill under discussion — has broad authority to simply ban Pettinger from speaking, citing House rules on decorum, but he chose not to do so. politician pointed out.
Acting House committee chairman under fire for failing to invoke his rules of decorum to prevent Pettinger from appearing (iStock/Getty)
Pettinger is well-known in Idaho politics and has a history of “racist, misogynistic and morally objectionable performances,” according to the website, including previously dressing up as a prom queen and wearing a sash bearing the names of lawmakers accused of rape.
He has also played a clown, a “gay kid,” and Adolf Hitler attacking Elon Musk outside a Tesla dealership.
Before appearing before the committee meeting, Pettinger posted a selfie on Facebook in which he was wearing the same brownface attire and a rainbow sombrero.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho responded to his latest outrage in a statement, writing: “No matter your political affiliation, this is racist and absolutely unacceptable behavior by our elected officials.”
“Our elected officials should lead public forums with civility and respect, not hatred.”
There was also a response from PODER of Idaho, a social justice organization representing the state’s Latino and immigrant communities, which said on Facebook: “Our Legislature should be a place for serious policy discussions, not racist theatrics. This is hate speech, plain and simple.
“This was an intentional distraction from the E-Verify bill, which many of us showed up to testify in good faith. Our Legislature should be a place for serious policy discussions, not racist theatrics.
“This is hate speech, plain and simple. It’s an intentional distraction from the E-Verify Act, which many of us testified in good faith.”
