Sen. Cory Booker condemns attack on 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett as 'a modern-day lynching'

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) said Tuesday that the brutal attack on “Empire” star Jussie Smollett was an example of a “modern-day lynching.”

According to Chicago police, Smollett was attacked early Tuesday morning around 2 a.m. by two men who screamed “racial and homophobic slurs” moments before the attack.

After the attack, Booker called on Congress to act and to condemn the racist hate crime.

"The vicious attack on actor Jussie Smollett was an attempted modern-day lynching. I'm glad he's safe," he said.

The attackers also "wrapped a rope around [Smollett's] neck,” the police statement said according to The Daily Beast. 

Booker then urged Congress to pass a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime.

"To those in Congress who don't feel the urgency to pass our Anti-Lynching bill designating lynching as a federal hate crime– I urge you to pay attention," the tweet read.

A statement from 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment condemned the attack.

“We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our Empire family was viciously attacked last night,” the statement said. “We send our love to Jussie, who is resilient and strong, and we will work with law enforcement to bring these perpetrators to justice.”