Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has physical altercation with protestor at U.S. Capitol
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I am currently being detained by DC Police for asking tough questions to far right extremist Congressmen @RepGosar and @laurenboebert at a press conference. Rep Clay Higgins proceeded to assault/physically remove me from the press conference.For this, the cops detained me,not him pic.twitter.com/iX4yjCGKsZ
— Jake Burdett (@jake_burdett) May 17, 2023
Republican Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins initiated a physical alteration with a protestor outside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, ushering the activist away from a press conference and onto the street.
The activist, who identified himself as Jake Burdett on Twitter and social media, said he wasn't injured but is considering seeking charges against the Acadiana congressman who represents Louisiana 3rd Congressional District.
USA Today Network is seeking comment from Higgins and his staff.
In a Tweet, Higgins described his action as "de-escalation" and the activist as someone with a mental problem who was "threatening."
"Activist was a 103M (police code for "disturbance by mental person")," Higgins tweeted. "Threatening. He was escorted out and turned over to Capitol Police. Textbook."
During the press conference, Burdett began using his phone to video Republican U.S. Reps. Paul Gosar of Arizona and Lauren Boebert of Colorado as well as asking them questions.
In the footage, Higgins approached the activist first and quietly said, “Clay Higgins, I represent south Louisiana. All I’m asking you to do is just peacefully stand by with your camera and I promise you—look at me—I’ll come talk to you straight up and answer all your questions. Fair enough?”
But when Burdett continued, Higgins said, “Uh-uh. Uh-uh. No. You’re out. You’re out” before placing both hands on the activist and physically pushing him backward and away from the press conference.
“Aren’t you a congressperson, touching me?” Burdett said in the video. “Get off me! You’re hurting me!”
According to reporting from The Daily Beast, in 2019 Burdett was charged with wiretapping after allegedly live-streaming a meeting at a Maryland congressman’s offices on Facebook. He agreed to a plea deal, and received probation before judgment and community service.
The U.S. Capitol Police stepped in Wednesday. Burdett wasn't detained.
More: How does Louisiana delegation stack up in Congress? 'We're punching above our weight'
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Congressman Clay Higgins initiates physical altercation with protestor
