New Jersey Democrat helped gun-toting staffer bypass security before embarking on anti-Trump filibuster
A staffer for Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) was arrested Monday for carrying a firearm on Capitol grounds without a license after bypassing security with the senator’s help.
“Yesterday afternoon a Member of Congress led an IDed staff member around security screening at the Hart Senate Office Building,” Capitol Police said in a Tuesday statement, according to NOTUS. “Later that evening, outside the Senate Galleries, the IDed staff member—who is a retired law enforcement officer—told our officers he was armed.”
The staffer, 59-year-old Kevin Batts, serves as a special assistant for the New Jersey senator, according to legislative research service LegiStorm. Batts was arrested around 6:30 p.m. Monday and placed in a police vehicle outside the Capitol, NOTUS reported.
“All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, even if you are a retired law enforcement officer, or have a permit to carry in another state or the District of Columbia,” police said.
The arrest came shortly before Booker took the Senate floor for a marathon speech to protest President Donald Trump’s agenda, vowing to speak “for as long as I am physically able.” The speech is still ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon, more than 19 hours later.