Orlando Congressman Maxwell Frost was punched in the face by a drunk attacker at the Sundance Festival, and the Democratic Party and several officials responded.
“I was assaulted by a man at Sundance Festival who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face,” Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a Democrat, posted about the attack. “He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off. The individual was arrested and I am okay.”
According to reports, the man who attacked the Central Florida Congressman was identified as Christian Young by the police. According to court records, 28-year-old Christian Joel Young was arrested for aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official and assault and transported to jail. He also reportedly grabbed a woman by the shoulder.
The Orange County Democratic Party issued a statement in response to the attack on the Orlando Representative, quickly attacking Republican President Donald Trump.
“Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) was physically assaulted by a man yelling racial slurs and telling the Congressman that Trump was going to deport him. We are grateful that Congressman Frost is okay and that the attacker has been arrested,” the Orange County Democratic Party stated. “There is a direct link between the lawless violence being pushed by Donald Trump and his administration, and the real-world attacks we are now seeing play out in our communities. The Democratic Party will continue to stand firmly against political violence, and we hope that the Republican Party will join us in condemning these kinds of attacks.”
State Rep. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat running for Orlando Mayor in 2027, also commented on the incident. “Grateful our Congressman [Maxwell Frost] is going to be ok but this is unacceptable and is absolutely a result of politicians who continue to polarize this country with dangerous and inflammatory rhetoric, policies, and actions. It needs to stop,” she posted on social media.
The mayor of Miami-Dade County, who is also a Democrat, said she was “deeply disturbed” by the reported assault and called on others to condemn any attack motivated by racism or intimidation in the strongest terms. “Freedom of speech and peaceful political engagement are core to our democracy,” a statement from the office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said about the reported assault on Rep. Maxwell Frost. “Acts of violence against public servants or any member of our community are unacceptable and must be met with a full and swift legal response. 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. The hatred and political rhetoric dividing communities and neighbors must end now.”
Rep. Frost thanked the venue security and Park City, Utah Police Department on this incident of political violence.