Acting U.S. Attorney for Washington D.C. Edward Martin made clear on Monday that he would weigh whether to charge Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) with a crime in response to a MAGA podcaster's claimed “assault” on Capitol Hill last week.
The questionable incident unfolded on Tuesday as Charles Downs, a reporter affiliated with right-wing firebrand Laura Loomer, shoved his camera phone into Crockett’s face. The Texas Democrat can be seen in the clip shared by Loomer and others in MAGA world appearing to stretch out her hand and cover the camera as she continues walking a chatting with a Republican senator before the clip abruptly ends.
“As I’ve said from Day One, no one is above the law,” Martin said Monday in a statement posted on X. “This matter is currently under review by law enforcement authorities. If it is referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will follow the proper procedures to determine whether charges are appropriate.”
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His comments followed Downs’ announcement on X that a “very big development” happened Monday after he filed a police report last week with Capitol Police for assault, battery and attempted theft of his cell phone.
“I just left a formal with the United States Capitol Police,” Downs told his followers in a video posted to his X account, which was shared by Martin. “I had to fill out some more forms, talk about the horrific incident where Congressman Crockett reached for my phone, scratching me, just because I asked her a question about her involvement in a Tesla takedown.”
“So now, my formal complaint has officially been moved to the United States Attorney’s Office in Washington D.C., and we will see what happens,” he said.
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— U.S. Attorney Ed Martin (@USAEdMartin) March 31, 2025