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 at lruskin@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Liz here.
