Republican Rep. Mike Collins says 'three men attempted to rob one of my staffers and a friend at gunpoint in' DC



Republican Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia said in a Sunday post on X that one of his staffers and another individual had been targeted for robbery in Washington, D.C.

"Early this morning, three men attempted to rob one of my staffers and a friend at gunpoint in Navy Yard. One attacker took a watch, the other took a fist to the face. Our nation's capital has become a warzone because of pro-criminal policies peddled by D.C.'s government. Thank the good Lord, after fending off the assailants, both young men are safe," Collins tweeted.

'It's unthinkable that drive-by robberies are a normal part of living just a few blocks from the Capitol.'

"It's a shame our nation's capital is a showcase for failed Democrat policies and violent crime as opposed to the greatness of our country. The crime is so common place now many people don't even report it because they know the city government will do nothing or just release the criminals to keep offending," the staffer who had been involved in the incident told the Daily Caller on Monday.

The nation's capital is a deeply blue area that has consistently voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in each election since 1964, which was the first presidential contest after the 23rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took effect.

"Time and time again D.C.'s leadership proves they are incapable of governing and protecting its citizens. Violent crime in this city is a problem that affects everyone. It's unthinkable that drive-by robberies are a normal part of living just a few blocks from the Capitol," Collins tweeted.

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Republican congressman says staffer was assaulted in DC: 'It's time we started treating criminals like criminals'



Republican Rep. Brad Finstad of Minnesota announced on Friday that one of his staffers had been assaulted earlier this week.

"Following Wednesday's Congressional Baseball Game for Charity, one of my staffers was attacked outside of his residence by an armed gunman," Finstad said in a statement. "Thankfully, he will be able to make a full recovery and the extent of his physical injuries was minor. I thank the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and their attention to this incident.”

The congressman called for a crackdown on criminals.

"In Washington, D.C. and cities across the country, anti-police, soft-on-crime policies have created lawless societies that endanger the public and empower criminal behavior. It's time we started treating criminals like criminals and bring back commonsense policies that imprison career criminals, keep the public safe, and allow our police officers to adequately protect our communities and keep violent criminals off the streets," the lawmaker declared.

\u201cFollowing Wednesday\u2019s Congressional Baseball Game, one of my staffers was attacked outside of his residence by an armed gunman. Thankfully, he will be able to make a full recovery and the extent of his physical injuries was minor. https://t.co/Jco39dywx9\u201d
— Congressman Brad Finstad (@Congressman Brad Finstad) 1686933842

Fox News senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram tweeted that "Fox is told that the aide was by himself when he was approached by two men. One had a gun."

"There was a struggle and the aide was assaulted with the weapon, but not shot. He had cuts and bruises and did not seek immediate medical attention. However, the aide did go to the doctor the next day just to be checked out and appears to be fine," Pergram tweeted.

\u201c3) There was a struggle and the aide was assaulted with the weapon, but not shot. He had cuts and bruises and did not seek immediate medical attention. However, the aide did go to the doctor the next day just to be checked out and appears to be fine.\u201d
— Chad Pergram (@Chad Pergram) 1686936717

Earlier this year, in March, one of GOP Sen. Rand Paul's (Ky.) staffers was the victim of a brutal assault in the nation's capital.

And in February, Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in the city.

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Sen. Rand Paul says staffer in DC was 'brutally attacked in broad daylight'



Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said in a statement that one of his staffers was "brutally attacked" in the nation's capital.

"This past weekend a member of my staff was brutally attacked in broad daylight in Washington, D.C.," Paul said in a statement, according to reports. "I ask you to join Kelley and me in praying for a speedy and complete recovery, and thanking the first responders, hospital staff, and police for their diligent actions. We are relieved to hear the suspect has been arrested. At this time we would ask for privacy so everyone can focus on healing and recovery."

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A Metropolitan Police Department press release states that authorities arrested an individual in connection with an assault that was perpetrated on Saturday — the press release indicates that the victim was taken to a hospital to receive treatment for "life-threatening injuries" and names a 42-year-old individual who was "arrested and charged with Assault with Intent to Kill (Knife)."

Fox 5 DC reported that Federal Bureau of Prisons records indicate that the individual had just been released from prison on Friday.

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— (@)

Paul, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2011, mounted a presidential bid in 2015 but later dropped out in 2016.

The lawmaker was seriously injured in 2017 when a neighbor assaulted him, breaking some of his ribs and damaging a lung, part of which was removed in 2019. "Part of my lung damaged by the 2017 assault had to be removed by surgery this weekend," Paul noted in a 2019 tweet. In an October 2022 tweet, Paul described the attack as "an assault (from behind) that resulted in 6 broken ribs, a damaged lung that had to be removed, and chronic pain."

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— (@)

Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was assaulted last month in an elevator in Washington D.C.

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Stacey Abrams Staffer Deletes Retweet Likening US Government To Taliban

A staffer for former Georgia Democrat gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams retweeted a post that compared the United States government to the Taliban.

NM Dem gov's campaign pays at least $62K in settlement to ex-staffer who says she grabbed his crotch: report



The 2018 gubernatorial campaign of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) has paid at least $62,500 to a former aide who says the governor grabbed his crotch — and the ex-staffer could get more, according to a report.

What are the details?

The Albuquerque Journal reported Monday that documents show Lujan Grisham's campaign has made four payments of $12,500 "as part of a settlement" with former campaign spokesman James Hallinan, who accused the governor of "pouring a bottle of water on his crotch and then grabbing his crotch through his clothes as she laughed, an incident he said took place in front of other campaign staffers."

The outlet noted that Hallinan made the claims in late 2019, roughly a year after he left the campaign. The former ex-staffer says he was talked out of reporting the incident by the campaign manager, Dominic Gabello, who now serves as a senior adviser in the governor's office.

Current campaign spokesman Jared Leopold told the newspaper that Gov. Lujan Grisham, Gabello, and the campaign organization itself "strenuously deny that there is any merit or truth to Mr. Hallinan's claims, including his claims about difficulty finding or keeping work after the campaign."

Leopold added, "They reached a settlement in order to avoid the continuing distraction and significant expense of possible litigation and allow them to concentrate on working for the people of New Mexico during this pandemic."

Fox News reported that Hallinan claims Lujan Grisham assaulted him while at the home of state Rep. Deborah Armstrong (D), whose office also denies the incident occurred. The governor's spokeswoman, Nora Myers Sackett, said of the ordeal, "We're a rambunctious bunch. I think they were playing around with water."

But Hallinan's attorney confirmed to the outlet that things had been settled on the matter, telling them in a statement, "Governor Lujan Grisham and Mr. Hallinan have resolved any differences or issues to their satisfaction. I am not able to provide any further information."

Sackett declined to tell the Associated Press whether further payment is still due to Hallinan.

Records: New Mexico governor settles harassment allegation www.youtube.com

Anything else?

In reaction to the news, the Republican Governor's Association called Lujan Grisham's settlement "a $62,500 crotch grab."

"After years of vehement denial, Governor Lujan Grisham's now revealed sexual harassment settlement certainly raises questions of why she tried to discredit her alleged victim," association spokesman Will Reinert told the Santa Fe New Mexican in an email. "Where there is smoke there is usually fire, and Lujan Grisham just wrote a check for $62,500 worth of kindling."

ACLU staffer attacks university for accepting Nick Sandmann, calls teen's admission 'a slap in the face'



An employee of the American Civil Liberties Union has issued a public condemnation of Transylvania University in Kentucky over the school's acceptance of former Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann, calling the university's decision "a slap in the face."

Sandmann, 17, is a well-known conservative and supporter of President Donald Trump.

What are the details?

ACLU Kentucky communications staffer Samuel Crankshaw took to Facebook on Saturday to slam Transylvania University — his alma mater — for allowing Sandmann in. His post was first reported by George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley, who testified before Congress against the impeachments of both President Bill Clinton and President Donald Trump.

"Does anyone think it's a bit of a stain on Tranyslvania University for accepting Nick Sandman (sic)?" Crankshaw began. "I'm sure it's a 'both sides' defense, but it's pretty counter to their mission and another instance of there not actually being equal sides to an issue."

Professor Turley noted in his own analysis that "the 'both sides' defense used to be the position of the ACLU in fighting for all sides to be given equal opportunities and protections."

The ACLU employee continued, "But this kid clearly is a provocateur in training with no intention of learning. He exists only to troll, intimidate and play victim."

Crankshaw went on to call Sandmann "dangerous" before adding, "Having experienced the incredibly high standards Transy requires for admission and then holds its students to, this seems like a slap in the face. I hope some time in a real classroom changes him, but his twitter and public persona suggest otherwise."

An assistant professor and diversity scholar at Transylvania, Dr. Avery Tompkins, responded to Cranshaw's post, stating, "While I certainly don't support or agree with [Sandmann's] views, and find his public behavior and rhetoric atrocious and uninformed, we can't not admit academically qualified students due to their political and personal views."

Dr. Tompkins promised to keep an eye on Sandmann "just like (she) would for any student" causing problems. She later issued an apology for her "mistake in singling out a student and any misunderstandings that arose from that."

ACLU Kentucky's deputy director told The Daily Mail of her employee's online declaration, "These were personal views expressed on personal time on a personal Facebook account. The views in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the ACLU of Kentucky."

At some point, Crankshaw himself added a disclaimer to his Facebook post, stating, "NOTE: These are my personal views that I am expressing on my personal Facebook page on my personal time. They do not necessarily reflect the views of my current or past employers. I have a First Amendment right to express my views just as Nick Sandmann has a First Amendment right to express his. I will continue to express my views on my personal time."

What's the background?

Nicholas Sandmann was smeared by several mainstream media outlets last year when he was seen on video in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., smiling while face-to-face with a Native American man, Nathan Phillips. Phillips was beating a drum and some outlets suggested the teen was mocking the older man, but further footage showed that Phillips actually confronted the teen.

CNN and The Washington Post both settled defamation lawsuits with Sandmann earlier this year.