Cory Booker Staffer Arrested For Alleged Gun Violation On Capitol Grounds
A staffer for Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) was arrested Monday after bringing a firearm onto U.S. Capitol grounds without proper authorization—an act that blatantly violates federal law and Capitol security protocols.
The individual, Kevin A. Batts, a 59-year-old former Newark police detective now serving as Booker’s special assistant and personal driver, approached officers near the Senate Galleries and voluntarily disclosed that he was armed. Capitol Police arrested him on the spot and charged him with Carrying a Pistol Without a License, a serious offense in the heavily regulated D.C. jurisdiction.
Authorities were quick to remind the public that no firearms are allowed on Capitol grounds, regardless of whether an individual has a permit in another state or is a former law enforcement officer.
Awkward Timing for Booker
The arrest came just moments before Senator Booker launched into a marathon anti-Trump tirade on the Senate floor, speaking for over 19 hours in protest of the President’s latest legislative victories. While Booker was railing against conservative policies, one of his closest aides was being processed for a serious firearms violation just steps away.
A spokesperson for Booker attempted to downplay the situation, describing Batts as a New Jersey-based driver who frequently accompanies the senator to events. The office added that they are still “gathering information” on the incident.
Hypocrisy on Display
The arrest has triggered sharp criticism, especially in light of Booker’s long-standing opposition to Second Amendment rights. Just two years ago, Booker vocally opposed a Supreme Court ruling that struck down New York’s restrictive concealed carry law, arguing that firearms should be tightly regulated even for law-abiding citizens.
Now, a member of his own team stands accused of violating the very gun laws Democrats claim to champion.
Gun rights advocates were quick to pounce. “It’s always the loudest anti-gun politicians whose own people seem to think the rules don’t apply to them,” said one pro-Second Amendment advocate. “This is what hypocrisy looks like.”
A Security Breach—And a Political Problem
Bringing an unauthorized firearm into the heart of the U.S. Capitol is no small matter. The area is one of the most tightly secured spaces in the country, and this incident raises serious questions about vetting, oversight, and accountability within Booker’s team.
While the legal process will play out for Batts, the political fallout for Senator Booker is just beginning. As one Capitol Hill aide noted, “You can’t preach gun control on TV while your staff is breaking the law in the halls of Congress.”
Booker has yet to publicly address the matter himself.