Washington, DC –A DC District Court attorney is reportedly investigating allegations of an assault involving U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), following a high-profile incident that has sparked intense debate and scrutiny. The investigation centers on claims made by independent journalist Charles Downs, who alleges that Crockett physically assaulted him during an encounter in a House office building on March 25, 2025.
The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated online, occurred when Downs, a correspondent for political activist Laura Loomer, approached Crockett with questions about her recent controversial statements.
U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. stated that a matter currently under review by law enforcement authorities remains ongoing and emphasized the principle that no one is above the law.
“As I’ve said from Day One, no one is above the law. 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,” he said.
In the footage, Downs can be seen following Crockett while filming with his cellphone, repeatedly asking whether she would condemn reported violence at Tesla showrooms. As he pressed closer, Crockett appeared to reach for the phone, knocking it away from her face. Downs later filed a police report with the U.S. Capitol Police, claiming assault, battery, and attempted theft, alleging that Crockett’s “long fingernails” left scratches on his hand.
Crockett, a vocal progressive representing Texas’s 30th congressional district, has been at the center of multiple controversies in recent days. The alleged assault came shortly after she faced widespread backlash for referring to Texas Governor Greg Abbott as “Governor Hot Wheels” during a speech at a Human Rights Campaign event in Los Angeles on March 22. The remark, perceived as mocking Abbott’s use of a wheelchair due to his paraplegia, prompted a censure resolution from Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) and condemnation from Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators.
Laura Loomer, Downs’s employer, has vowed to pursue legal action against Crockett, calling her a “rabid animal” and asserting that the incident reflects a broader pattern of “violence against Trump supporters and independent media” by Democrats. “We are consulting with an attorney over filing a lawsuit for assault, battery, and attempted theft,” Loomer stated on social media. She also criticized Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), who was walking with Crockett at the time, for not intervening.
Crockett has not directly addressed the assault allegations but expressed gratitude to Burchett on social media for ensuring her safety during the encounter.
“Thank you to my colleague @RepTimBurchett for putting himself between me and the individual to ensure I made it to Committee,” she wrote on March 25.
Her office has not yet responded to requests for comment on the investigation.
The U.S. Capitol Police have confirmed that a complaint was filed and stated that they “investigate all complaints of alleged misconduct in a comprehensive and objective manner.”
However, no official charges have been announced as of this afternoon, and details of the DC District Court attorney’s involvement remain limited. Legal experts suggest that the investigation could hinge on whether Crockett’s actions are deemed self-defense or an unjustified use of force, given the proximity of Downs’s filming and the public setting of the encounter
