OAN Staff Abril Elfi
1:47pm – Tuesday, April 1st, 2025
A left-handed staff working for Democrat New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was arrested after the senator held more than 21 hours of “marathon” floor speeches while carrying a gun on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. AP News.
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On Tuesday, U.S. Capitol Police issued a statement regarding the arrest of staff.
“Last afternoon, Congress members led a member of staff identified around security screenings in the Hart Senate office building. Later that night, outside the Senate gallery, an identified staff member, a retired law enforcement officer, told our officers he was armed,” the official said.
“Kevin A. Butts, 59, of New Jersey, was arrested for carrying a pistol without a license. All weapons are prohibited from Capitol's premises, even for retired law enforcement officers.
“Speaking with Booker's office employs retired Newark police detectives as New Jersey-based drivers, often accompanied by events,” said Jeff Giertz, a spokesman for Booker (DN.J.).
On the 2022 Facebook reel, Booker called the staff one of his “best” friends.
Additionally, in a 2016 Instagram post, the senator reiterated that Butts had been his friend since at least 2006.
“Kevin Butts has been a friend and team member since I was in 2006. [Newark] Even in front of the mayor. I am deeply grateful for his steadfast friendship, his incredible dedication to Newark, and now his service to the state,” Booker posted on Instagram in January 2016.
“Kevin grew up on the Columbus Holmes Project in Newark and spent six years in the US Army Reserve. [sic] He then joined the Newark Police Station and became a detective in 2004. In 2006 he joined my security details as a member of the Newark Executive Protection Unit. In 2013 he joined my Senate staff. I am truly blessed with his friendship and loyal hard work. ”
On Monday, Booker began his floor speech at 7pm, warning him that he was saying “as long as I am physically capable.”
He was still talking now, and it's been over 21 hours.
“More than 21 hours later, the 55-year-old former football tight end, was clearly exhausted, but still on the way. It was the longest stamina show in Senate history. AP News It has been reported.
According to Senate statistics, Strom Thurmond of South Carolina set the longest individual speech record for 24 hours and 18 minutes against the 1957 Civil Rights Act. As of April 1stst At 1:44pm Pacific Standard Time, Booker's speech was the fourth-longest in Senate history, over 21 hours.
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