Idaho advocacy groups denounce state legislators who allowed man to testify while wearing brownface

Idaho advocacy groups denounce state legislators who allowed man to testify while wearing brownface The far-right activist is known across the state for his racist and antisemitic costumes. The Idaho man testified in brownface during a public hearing. Idaho Statesman / Tribune News Service via Getty Images file Share Add NBC News to Google Feb. 26, 2026, 6:00 PM EST By Alexandra Marquez Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 Several advocacy groups in Idaho this week are condemning Republican members of the state’s House Business Committee for allowing public testimony from a man who appeared before the committee in brownface and has previously engaged in racist and antisemitic demonstrations throughout the state. The man, far-right demonstrator David Pettinger, was initially stopped from testifying before the committee in broken Spanish while wearing brownface makeup and clothing appearing to stereotype Latinos, with handcuffs dangling from his wrist. He appeared at Monday’s hearing as the committee was evaluating HB 704, a bill that would require businesses in the state to verify employees’ legal status and work authorization. Shortly after Pettinger began speaking — calling the committee’s vice chair “El Jefe” and referring to other members of the committee as “amigos” — Democratic Rep. Steve Berch called for a point of order, telling Pettinger, “This is not performance theater here” and asking for “straight testimony.” The committee’s vice chair, GOP Rep. Josh Wheeler, then allowed Pettinger to continue, asking for “straight testimony” and threatening to move on to the next speaker if Pettinger did not comply. Pettinger, in Spanish, said “yes” and asked if he could continue speaking in the language. The committee then entered a closed, or “at ease,” session, where cameras monitoring the hearing were cut off. After several minutes, the hearing continued and lawmakers allowed Pettinger to continue testifying while wearing brownface and his costume,...