Rep. Steve Knight confronts protester during immigration discussion

A new video shows U.S. Rep. Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) confronting a protester during a discussion about immigration.

The heated confrontation occurred Friday outside Knight’s district office in Simi Valley, where a group holding “Stop illegal immigration” signs had gathered during an open house event. The entire encounter was filmed and a video was later posted to YouTube.

A protester, who called himself “Mike,” approached Knight, shook his hand and said, “You told me you didn’t vote amnesty and you did. I looked it up on the Internet. You lied to me.” He then patted Knight on the arm.

As the protester walked away, Knight approached him and said, “If you touch me again, I’ll drop your ass.”

He urged the protester not to touch him.

Knight, a former Los Angeles police officer, contends he never voted for “amnesty,” saying there were several versions of the bill and that he voted against President Obama.

The congressman and protesters argued over whether he voted to support Department of Homeland Security funding.

Senate Democrats in February blocked a move by the GOP to provide $39.7 billion in funding to the department. The measure included a condition that none of the funding would be used to support President Obama’s immigration plans to temporarily defer deportations.

Last year, Obama used his executive action to protect up to 5 million immigrants in the country illegally from deportation.

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA.