Cameras Catch Rep. Young Twisting Arm in Capitol

Politics often involves a bit of arm-twisting, but footage of Alaska Congressman Don Young today shows him literally twisting the arm of a young man in a hallway of the U.S. Capitol.  An NBC producer named Frank Thorp caught the episode on video and released it on social media. The news outlet Roll Call also published a photo. After the congressman lets go of his wrist, the aide makes a face indicating either surprise or pain.  Young’s office released this written statement:

“While returning to the GOP conference meeting to discuss the ongoing situation on our southern border, I was caught off guard by an unidentified individual who was physically blocking me from reentering the room.  Regardless, my reaction was wrong and I should have never placed my hands on the young man.”

Liz Ruskin is the Washington, D.C., correspondent at Alaska Public Media. Reach her atlruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Lizhere.

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