Sacramento mayor and vice mayor caught on hot mic discussing disruptions

A live microphone revealed a backstage conversation between the mayor of Sacramento and the vice mayor as they discussed whether disruptive protesters could be barred from future city council meetings after a heated debate about immigration descended into chaos.

“We have to address this glitch, because if we want to ban or eliminate someone in the future, we have to specifically state that…” Deputy Mayor Karina Talamantes is heard saying.

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

“We did that last time,” Talamantes replied.

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“We can’t,” McCarty said, shaking his head. “I spent the first six months working on this. I wanted to give people probation, like, you can’t come…”

Talamantes noticed the microphone was still live and quickly reached over and turned it off before continuing to speak, according to the public city council livestream reviewed by Fox News Digital.

The bizarre exchange emerged Tuesday after the Sacramento City Council ordered members of the public removed from the halls following repeated disruptions during a heated debate over the city’s continued participation in a regional intelligence-sharing center.

The conflict escalated after Talamantes advocated accepting federal funding for the Central California Intelligence Center (CCIC), arguing that Sacramento’s sanctuary city policies and immigrant protections made the city better suited than other jurisdictions to oversee the grant.

“The city of Sacramento is a sanctuary city,” Talamantes said during the meeting. “If we don’t transfer those dollars, other countries will apply for those dollars, they’ll get those dollars, and we won’t have any safeguards to protect our immigrant communities here in Sacramento.”

Dozens of speakers had previously urged the council to reject the deal, arguing that the intelligence center could make it easier to share information with federal immigration authorities and undermine Sacramento’s sanctuary city policies.

Law enforcement officials repeatedly disputed those claims during the meeting, telling council members that Sacramento does not share personal identifying information for civil immigration enforcement and complies with California’s protection law known as SB 54.

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Community members urged the Sacramento City Council to reject continued participation in the Central California Intelligence Center during an emotional public comment session. (Sacramento City)

As public comments grew increasingly heated, one speaker repeatedly demanded that McCarty pay attention.

“Kevin, I need your fucking eyes. Kevin, listen to me. Stop being a dick, man. Listen to your fucking voters,” the speaker shouted.

Following Talamantes’ words, another series of shouts broke out in the council chambers.

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One attendee shouted at Talamantes, “You’re a bitch who chose me,” while others shouted, “Shame on you.”

McCarty responded with what he called a “final warning.”

“This is the final warning,” the mayor said. “We will continue to negotiate and if there are more explosions we will have to ask the audience to leave.”

Seconds later, the blackouts intensified.

Council members discussed continued participation in the Central California Intelligence Center during a meeting that later led to rolling blackouts. (Sacramento City)

“You can’t do this behind closed doors!” one participant shouted.

“We are the community,” shouted another.

“You represent us. You are our fucking audience,” another voice shouted as council members tried to continue the meeting.

Council officials then paused the meeting and cleared the chambers after repeated interruptions prevented negotiations from continuing.

After the meeting, McCarty said the private discussion focused on current meeting procedures, not new restrictions.

“Every Tuesday, Deputy Mayor Talamantes and I are responsible for overseeing and ensuring that Council meetings are transparent, accessible and open,” McCarty said in a statement to Fox News Digital. he said.

“Unfortunately, when meetings are repeatedly disrupted, we are forced to discuss existing policies and rules to ensure Council meetings remain effective, orderly and respectful of both residents and Councilors attending. We are committed to ensuring that all members of the public can access and attend safely without distraction or intimidation.”

Mayor Kevin McCarty warned attendees of the repeated disruptions before council chambers were evacuated and a hot mic call was held. (Sacramento City)

The Sacramento City Attorney’s Office declined to address McCarty’s reference to legal advice during the hot mic exchange.

“The City Attorney’s Office has no comment and will not comment on this matter,” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The city’s published meeting rules state that the public will get two minutes per agenda item and can talk about no more than four items during a meeting; These restrictions are intended to help the council conduct city business.

The hot mic exchange sparked criticism from some activists who suggested Talamantes was interested in silencing his opponents.

Joshua Masias, volunteer organizer of the Sac Immigration Committee. he told the Sacramento Bee The speech demonstrated an authoritarian approach towards members of the public.

“It’s very authoritarian in how he wants to use his power,” Masias told the outlet. “It occurred to me that he was the only one trying to quiet the crowds.”

Resident Leanna Hunt, one of the council’s most outspoken critics, also defended the protesters’ frustration.

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“I’m fed up,” Hunt told the Bee. “It’s not even a tactic – I’m tired of being treated like we’re just spectators and the king deigning to see us peasants today and the king getting upset when the peasants act unruly.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Deputy Mayor Talamantes’ office, the Sacramento Police Department and the Sac Immigration Committee for additional comment.