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Juneau Today
By the People, for the People
Alaska Lawmaker Avoids Censure Over 'ICE OUT' Sign
House minority Republicans failed to censure Majority Whip Zack Fields for disrupting Congressman Nick Begich's address.
Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:54am
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Alaska House minority Republicans failed in their attempt to censure House Majority Whip Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, after he held up a handwritten 'ICE OUT' sign during Congressman Nick Begich's annual address to the state legislature. The motion was largely tabled along party lines, with Fields defending his actions as a response to Begich's praise of the administration's immigration policies.
Why it matters
The failed censure attempt highlights ongoing tensions over immigration policy in Alaska, with Fields criticizing ICE's impact on local communities. The incident also raises questions about decorum and political expression during legislative proceedings.
The details
Fields said he grew frustrated with Begich's praise of the administration's immigration policies, which he felt ignored the deportation of a Soldotna mother and her two minor children to Mexico. While Fields acknowledged his actions were not the proper procedure, he argued they 'paled in comparison' to ICE's actions. Minority Republicans accused Fields of violating legislative rules on decorum and disruptive conduct.
- On March 11, 2026, Fields held up an 'ICE OUT' sign during Congressman Nick Begich's annual address to the Alaska Legislature.
- On March 12, 2026, the Alaska House minority Republicans failed in their attempt to censure Fields for his actions.
The players
Zack Fields
A Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives who serves as the Majority Whip.
Nick Begich
A Republican Congressman who delivers an annual address to the Alaska Legislature.
DeLena Johnson
The Republican House Minority Leader in the Alaska Legislature.
Dan Saddler
A Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives.
Chuck Kopp
The Republican House Majority Leader in the Alaska Legislature.
What they’re saying
“Sitting on the House floor during our Congressman's annual keynote address is not the place for disruption and waving protest signs. This behavior reflects a lack of professional maturity and a blatant disregard for the rules of this body.”
— DeLena Johnson, House Minority Leader
“I've seen in other legislatures how this kind of political grandstanding and props and drama can disrupt the orderly proceedings of the necessary thing the state has to do.”
— Dan Saddler, Republican Representative
“My actions were not the right procedure, but it 'paled in comparison' to actions taken by ICE.”
— Zack Fields, House Majority Whip
What’s next
The Alaska House will likely continue to grapple with the balance between political expression and legislative decorum in the wake of this incident.
The takeaway
This failed censure attempt underscores the ongoing tensions over immigration policy in Alaska, with lawmakers divided over the appropriate ways to voice dissent during legislative proceedings.
