Longtime Staffer for Democratic Senator Cory Booker Arrested by Capitol Police

While his employer was making history in the Senate, Democratic staffer Kevin A. Batts was making headlines for a different reason—his arrest.

According to a report first released by Notus, Batts, a longtime aide to New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, was taken into custody by U.S. Capitol Police.

Authorities allege that Batts was in possession of a firearm on Capitol grounds without the required license.

Newsweek, citing Capitol Police, emphasized that “[f]irearms are not permitted in the District of Columbia or on U.S. Capitol grounds.”

The publication further noted: “Only official law enforcement personnel are permitted to carry one if it is necessary for their job duties.”

More troubling still, reports suggest Batts may have bypassed standard security procedures with assistance from a member of Congress, as indicated by Capitol Police statements.

WTTG quoted local officials as saying, “a Member of Congress led an IDed staff member around security screening at the Hart Senate Office Building.”

Batts, a member of Booker’s team since 2006, previously served in law enforcement.

Despite his background, Capitol Police underscored to Newsweek that his prior role did not grant him special privileges to carry a firearm on Capitol property.

“All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, even if you are a retired law enforcement officer, or have a permit to carry in another state or the District of Columbia,” authorities stated.

Batts’ arrest coincided with a historic moment for Booker on the Senate floor.

The New Jersey senator set a new record for the longest speech delivered in the Senate, speaking for over 25 hours between Monday evening and Tuesday.

NBC News reported that Booker began his speech at around 7 p.m. ET on Monday.

In his own words, the goal of his marathon speech was to halt “the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able.”

The extended address was primarily a critique of former President Donald Trump and his administration.

Booker maintained his stance, occasionally yielding the floor to allies without relinquishing his speaking position, ultimately setting a new record of 25 hours and four minutes.

Axios highlighted that this significantly surpassed the previous record set by former South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957.