Representative Maxwell Frost reported being assaulted Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. According to a post on social media, the incident occurred when a man punched Frost after stating his belief that former President Trump would deport him.
Details of the Incident
Frost, a Democrat representing Florida, stated the assailant made racist remarks while leaving the scene. The individual was subsequently arrested, and Frost reported being unharmed. A report in Variety detailed the incident as a party crasher allegedly punching a person of color in the face after proclaiming his pride in being “white.”
Security personnel at the event intervened and detained the man, according to the Variety report. The Park City police department acknowledged a request for comment from CBS News.
Political Response
Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries responded to the reported assault on social media, stating he was “horrified” and “appalled.” Jeffries called for the “perpetrator” to be “aggressively prosecuted,” asserting that “hate and political violence has no place in our country.” He affirmed the support of the entire House Democratic Caucus for Representative Frost.
It is possible that further details regarding the incident and the charges against the alleged assailant will emerge as the case proceeds. A possible next step is a formal statement from the Park City Police Department. Analysts expect continued attention to this case given the involvement of a sitting member of Congress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Representative Frost say happened?
Representative Frost stated he was assaulted by a man at the Sundance Film Festival who punched him in the face after saying that Trump was going to deport him. The assailant reportedly made racist remarks as he left the scene.
What was the response from Hakeem Jeffries?
Hakeem Jeffries posted on social media that he was horrified by the attack and called for the perpetrator to be aggressively prosecuted, stating that hate and political violence have no place in the country.
Where is the Sundance Film Festival being held next year?
Next year’s Sundance Film Festival is set to be held in Boulder, Colorado.
How do we balance freedom of expression with the need to condemn and address acts of violence motivated by hate?
