A Rhode Island Democratic Party chair was caught on police body camera demanding special treatment during a DUI arrest, asking officers “You know who I am?” before hurling profanity at law enforcement.
Story Highlights
- Maria Bucci, Cranston Democratic Committee chair, arrested for DUI on December 18, 2025
- Body camera footage shows her invoking political connections and calling officer a “d–k”
- Bucci told officers to “call the attorney general” and referenced her political status
- She faces misdemeanor DUI charges with arraignment scheduled for January 5, 2026
Democratic Official Attempts to Leverage Political Status
Maria Bucci, chairwoman of the Cranston Democratic City Committee, was arrested by East Greenwich police after officers observed erratic driving and detected alcohol on her breath. During the traffic stop, Bucci immediately attempted to invoke her political connections, asking the arresting officer “You know who I am, right?” She then instructed officers to “call my husband and call the attorney general and everybody else in town,” demonstrating the entitled attitude that plagues too many Democratic officials who believe they’re above the law.
The 51-year-old former Cranston City Council member and unsuccessful mayoral candidate escalated her confrontational behavior throughout the encounter. When officers attempted to conduct field sobriety tests, she became argumentative and uncooperative, refusing basic instructions like moving her hair so officers could observe her eyes. Her defiant response of “No, I like my head” exemplifies the disrespectful attitude toward law enforcement that has become commonplace among progressive politicians.
Shameful Conduct Caught on Camera
The body camera footage reveals Bucci’s true character as she descended into verbal abuse against the professional officers doing their job. After being arrested and placed in the police cruiser, she called the officer a “d–k” and told him “you’re a loser,” showing complete disregard for the men and women in blue who keep our communities safe. This disgraceful behavior from someone in a leadership position within the Democratic Party demonstrates the party’s broader hostility toward law enforcement.
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Bucci also attempted to inject race into the situation, claiming “God forbid I was a Black person, I’d be arrested,” despite the fact that she was indeed being arrested regardless of her race. This cynical exploitation of racial issues to avoid personal responsibility represents the worst kind of political opportunism that conservatives have come to expect from Democratic officials who view everything through the lens of identity politics.
Pattern of Democratic Privilege and Accountability
This incident follows a disturbing pattern of Rhode Island Democratic officials believing they deserve special treatment when confronted by law enforcement. The state has seen multiple cases of Democratic politicians and officials caught on camera attempting to leverage their positions during arrests, undermining the principle of equal justice under law that forms the foundation of our constitutional republic.
East Greenwich police deserve credit for maintaining their professionalism throughout the encounter. The arresting officer explicitly rejected Bucci’s attempts at influence, telling her “You can start throwing out names… it’s not going to work with me, I’m not the guy for that.” This principled stance against political corruption should be applauded by all Americans who believe in the rule of law, regardless of political affiliation.
Bucci was released on $1,000 personal recognizance and faces misdemeanor DUI charges. Neither she nor the Rhode Island Democratic Party have issued public statements addressing this embarrassing incident, leaving voters to wonder what standards of conduct, if any, the party expects from its leadership.
