WATCH: Republican congressman Clay Higgins facing potential assault charges after run-in with protestor
Several people recorded an altercation between Clay Higgins and 25-year-old Jake Burdett in which the congressman pushed Burdett out of the crowd.
Lousiana state representative, Republican congressman Clay Higgins is under fire and could be looking at assault charges after a viral video showed him pushing a young man out of a crowd at a news conference on Wednesday.
The man, 25-year-old Jake Burdett, was asking questions mocking the GOP representatives, including some about Colorado representative Lauren Boebert’s recent divorce. Higgins came over to Burdett and asked him to “calm down” and told him that he would answer all his questions after the conference. As Burdett was shouting at them still, Higgins came over to him and grabbed him by the shoulders, pushing him away from the crowd.
In the video, Burdett can be heard saying, “Aren’t you a congressman touching me? Get off me! You’re hurting me!” Higgins did not let go until Capitol police came by and began to ask Burdett questions. Burdett said he was detained by the police “for asking tough questions” before being let go.
Higgins’ statement described Burdett as threatening:
“Activist was a 103M. Threatening. He was escorted out and turned over to Capitol Police. Textbook.”
The video quickly went viral on Wednesday and now social media users are calling on Higgins to be arrested for the move.
Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling said on Twitter, “The issue is the subordinate has little recourse when assaulted. Had this guy fought back, he certainly would have been charged for assaulting a congressman. This is BS and @RepClayHiggins should be charged.”
As for Burdett, he was not injured or hurt, but said he is fully prepared to file charges if there are legal grounds for it.