Politics

Cory Booker Staffer Reportedly Arrested On Gun Charges Shortly Before His Boss Gave Marathon Speech

Photo via Gage Skidmore at Wikimedia Commons

A staffer for Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was reportedly arrested Monday on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on a weapons charge, according to NOTUS.

Kevin A. Batts, listed as a special assistant for Booker, was reportedly arrested by Capitol Police on Monday after failing to go through security carrying a firearm without a proper license, according to NOTUS. Batts was reportedly arrested just before Booker began a marathon speech on the floor to protest the Trump administration and its policies.

“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.”

“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,” the statement added.

NOTUS saw Batts being arrested and placed into a police car around 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Booker’s speech, meanwhile, has dragged on for more than 18 consecutive hours, with the senator pledging to continue for as long as he is physically able to do so, according to The Associated Press.

Booker’s office did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated with additional information.