Rep. Maxwell Frost assaulted at Sundance; suspect arrested

by · UPI

Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Democrat Rep. Maxwell Frost said he was assaulted at the Sundance Film Festival by a man who told the Democrat that President Donald Trump was going to deport him.

Frost, a Black man and U.S.-born citizen, said on X on Saturday that he had been punched in the face by a man "heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off."

The suspect, who has been identified as 28-year-old Christian Joel Young, has been arrested, a Park City Police Department spokesman said in a statement.

The suspect allegedly snuck into a private party after being denied entrance for not being invited.

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Inside the party, he allegedly assaulted the Florida congressman and a woman.

The Sundance Film Festival is being held in Park City, Utah.

According to a probable cause affidavit, obtained by KUTV, the incident occurred at the High West Distillery where an industry party was being held.

Bar security told law enforcement they are unsure of how Young gained access to the party after he had been turned away and then confronted by security after having jumped over a fence, but then retreated, according to the affidavit.

The document states Young tried to speak with Frost, who told law enforcement the suspect had been referring to race. After being rebuffed, Young pulled Frost and a friend in close like he was "hugging them around their necks," it states

When Frost pushed Young away, he allegedly said: "We are going to deport you and your kind."

Frost then allegedly pushed Young "to get separation" from the man, who then allegedly yelled a racial slur at Frost and punched him in the face. The court document states Young then approached a woman and her friend at the bar to engage them in conversation.

Young is then accused of grabbing one of the women with both hands and pushing her into the bar after they tried to stop the conversation "because it was becoming inappropriate and racially charged," the affidavit said.

Young has been charged with aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official and simple assault, according to court documents obtained by Axios.

Frost said he was "okay" following the assault.

"We are in scary times," he said on his personal X account. "Please stay safe and do not let these people silence you. Onwards."

The incident comes amid deep political division and a ratcheting of tension in the United States. Trump is leading an immigration crackdown in several Democratic-led cities that has resulted in thousands of arrests. Civil rights groups have alleged that some federal law enforcement immigration officers have used excessive force and violated the constitutional rights of protesters and immigrants.

Federal immigration officers have shot and killed two protesters in Minneapolis, Minn., in the last few weeks.

"I am horrified by the attack on Congressman Maxwell Frost," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a statement.

"Hate and political violence has no place in our country, and the entire House Democratic Caucus family stands with Maxwell."

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat, similarly issued a statement standing by Maxwell and against political violence.

"We stand unequivocally against hate, bigotry and political violence in all forms, and it's time for all leaders to join in speaking out forcefully," she said Sunday in a statement.

"The hatred and political rhetoric dividing communities and neighbors must end now."

ICE Out of Minnesota protest on Jan. 23 in Minneapolis

Thousands of protesters march in sub-zero temperatures during "ICE Out" day to protest the federal government's immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday. Photo by Craig Lassig/UPI | License Photo