Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has extended his unwavering support to Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), whose office and staff were targeted in a violent attack earlier today. Local law enforcement reported that the assailant, identified as 49-year-old Xuan-Kha Tran Pham, forcibly entered Connolly’s Fairfax District Office in the Mainland Building at approximately 10:49 am. Armed with a metal baseball bat, Pham assaulted two staffers.
During a phone conversation with Congressman Connolly, Jeffries conveyed the full backing of the House Democratic Caucus to the affected office and its personnel following the distressing incident.
“We are grateful for the members of law enforcement and medical professionals who swiftly acted to apprehend the suspect and provide care for the affected members of our Capitol Hill community,” Jeffries affirmed. The Democratic leader emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring the safety of congressional members and staff, particularly in light of the increasing instances of political violence across the nation.
Jeffries further stated, “I have asked the House Sergeant at Arms and the US Capitol Police to continue their focus on collaborating with our Members. We must collectively take every available precaution to protect Members and our staff, who serve the American people with patriotism and passion and deserve to do so without fear for their safety.”
Congressman Connolly, a dedicated Democrat representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District in the House of Representatives, also maintains an office on Capitol Hill. Expressing gratitude for his staff’s resilience, Connolly commented, “I have the best team in Congress. My District Office staff make themselves available to constituents and members of the public every day. The thought that someone would take advantage of my staff’s accessibility to commit an act of violence is unconscionable and devastating.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing concerns over the safety and security of public officials and their staff amid an increasingly volatile political climate.
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