Cory Booker staffer arrested as Senator delivers marathon speech
As Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) continued a marathon floor speech which had passed 18 hours by Tuesday afternoon — protesting President Donald Trump's agenda — news was released that one of his staffers was taken into custody by Capitol Police, according to Politico.
Authorities said they arrested the staffer, Kevin Batts, for allegedly carrying a gun without a license.
Batts reportedly told officers outside the Senate galleries Monday that he was armed. The department said Batts had been led by Booker around security screening at a congressional office building earlier that day.
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Booker's spokesperson Jeff Giertz said, "Senator Booker’s office employs a retired Newark police detective as a New Jersey-based driver who often accompanies him to events. We are working to better understand the circumstances around this.”
In a statement, the Capitol Police said, "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."