A Democratic lawmaker who was assaulted in the elevator of her Washington, D.C. apartment building may have had a change of heart regarding the treatment of criminal behavior after the incident.
Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) voted against a DC City Council plan to dramatically weaken the city’s criminal code, along with dozens of other Democrats and all Republicans, according to the Daily Caller. The revised code lowers the penalties for several crimes.
“This morning around 7:15 a.m., Rep. Craig was assaulted in the elevator of her apartment building in Washington, DC. Rep. Craig defended herself from the attacker and suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay,” her office said in a statement just after the 250-173 vote that passed the House. “Rep. Craig called 9-1-1 and the assailant fled the scene of the assault. There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated.”
According to the District Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17), Congress exercises authority over local D.C. affairs. Congress must also review all legislation proposed by the city before it can become law. In addition, Congress can change or overturn legislation and even impose new edicts and regulations on the district.
The Daily Caller added:
In November 2022, the D.C. Council approved the Revised Criminal Code Act (RCCA). The RCCA reduces penalties for certain violent criminal offenses, including carjackings, robberies, and homicides. Democratic Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser vetoed the bill on Jan. 4. The council then overrode Bowser’s veto on Jan. 17 by a vote of 12-1.
Craig and 31 Democrats in Congress joined Republicans to block the measure.
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department said Thursday night that they had arrested 26-year-old Kendrick Hamlin on a charge of simple assault. Craig released a statement Friday afternoon after the violent assault she experienced this week.
“My morning coffee really saved the day yesterday, but not exactly how I expected it to,” Craig said, according to the Daily Wire. “On a serious note, I will also say that I was very, very lucky that I was not more injured — and I’ll have more to say about that soon.”
“I wanted to let everyone know that the outpouring of support from friends, constituents and colleagues has been overwhelming,” she continued. “I remain deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers for their quick response and subsequent arrest of a suspect last night.”
The Minnesota Democrat traveled back to her home state to recover, according to the report, which added:
Craig reported seeing the suspect in the lobby area of her apartment building “acting erratic” as if he was under the influence of an unknown substance, the report says. Craig told police that after she told the suspect “good morning,” the suspect followed her into the elevator “and began to randomly do push ups.” Craig told police the suspect then, “with a closed fist,” punched her on the chin area of her face, and later grabbed her neck.
Police said Craig “defended herself by tossing her hot coffee” at the suspect. The report said the suspect escaped before officers arrived. Officers canvassed the basement level parking lot with negative results, the report added.
