Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) said the reason for last month's attack at her apartment building in Washington, D.C., was more about the "intersection" of mental illness and homelessness than other motivations.
Craig did not attribute political motivation to the Feb. 9 incident in which she was allegedly punched in the face and grabbed by the neck in the elevator of the building by Kendrick Hamlin, 26.
REP. ANGIE CRAIG SAYS SHE WAS 'VERY LUCKY' NOT TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IN ATTACK
“It’s such an intersection right of homelessness and mental illness and addiction and public safety,” Craig told Politico.
She also pushed back on angry phone calls she received after hosts on Fox News's The Five criticized her and other Democrats’ policies on policing and crime, citing the defund the police movement in 2020.
"I think there's a lot that we ignore as a country or that we revert to are just, you know, progressive or conservative talking points, and there's gotta be some progress in the middle that might save one life," Craig said.
Craig has insisted that she is not in favor of defunding the police and said in a statement after the attack that she was "deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers for their quick response and subsequent arrest of a suspect."
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The attack on the Minnesota congresswoman came as Congress is considering striking down a new crime law for Washington, D.C., amid concerns it will soften punishments for homicide, robberies, and carjackings. A bill in the House overturning the crime code passed 250-173, with the support of every Republican in attendance and 31 Democrats, including Craig.
A Senate version of the bill appears to be on track to pass, but it will likely be vetoed by President Joe Biden. Biden has maintained that he believes the District of Columbia should have autonomy and should become a state. Congress is able to block Washington's laws based on its status as a federal district, meaning all laws are subject to congressional approval.