US Congressman Lee Zeldin attacked at New York campaign rally
US Congressman Lee Zeldin has come under attack at a campaign rally near Rochester, New York when a man carrying a sharp object confronted Zeldin on stage.
The attack took place on Thursday while Zeldin was making a campaign speech. US President Joe Biden on Friday condemned the attack on Zeldin.
Footage from the seeming attack shows Zeldin grabbing the wrist of a man wearing brass knuckles on his hand, which jumped on the stage and began talking to the Republican lawmaker. Zeldin's supporters tackled the man, who is reported to be an Iraq War veteran, to the ground.
Zeldin continued his speech after the incident, later saying on Twitter that he was okay and grateful.
"Thank you to all who reached out following tonight’s attack. Grateful I was able to grab onto his wrist in time when he lunged for my neck. Grateful many individuals on site quickly jumped in & tackled him. Grateful for the local law enforcement who apprehended the attacker," he tweeted.
Thank you to all who reached out following tonight’s attack. Grateful I was able to grab onto his wrist in time when he lunged for my neck. Grateful many individuals on site quickly jumped in & tackled him. Grateful for the local law enforcement who apprehended the attacker.🙏
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) July 22, 2022
Zeldin, who is notorious for publicity stunts, is up against New York's Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in the upcoming general election.
Hochul, who has a substantial lead in polls over Zeldin, condemned the attack “in the strongest terms possible,” adding that this type of violent behavior “has no place in New York.”
Zeldin and two other US Republican lawmakers, namely, Frank LoBiondo and Mike Pompeo, were denied visas to visit Iran to monitor the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and great powers.
“We consider your visa request to have been a publicity stunt,” the Iranian foreign ministry wrote back then.
The three Republican lawmakers were opposed to the nuclear deal between Iran and the 5+1 group (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany).
Biden condemns attack on Zeldin
Biden on Friday condemned the attack on Zeldin.
“I condemn the attack on Congressman Zeldin in the strongest terms,” Biden said in a statement. “As I’ve said before, violence has absolutely no place in our society or our politics. I am especially grateful for the courage of those who immediately intervened, and that he is unharmed and was able to continue his speech.
“I also want to thank the law enforcement officers who quickly took action and are investigating this attack that defies our fundamental democratic values,” Biden added.
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