House Democrat was the victim of a carjacking just blocks from the Capitol
- Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar was carjacked Monday evening blocks from the US Capitol.
- The Texan's office said Cuellar was not harmed. His car was later recovered.
Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas was carjacked Monday evening as armed assailants attacked him as he was parking his car blocks from the Capitol.
Cuellar office said in a statement that three armed assailants approached the congressman. No injuries were reported. The car was later recovered.
"Luckily, he was not harmed and is working with local law enforcement," Cuellar chief of staff Jacob Hochberg said in a statement. "Thank you to Metro PD and Capitol Police for their swift action and for recovering the Congressman's vehicle."
The Washington Post reported that the attack occurred in Navy Yard, an area where lots of members of Congress and aides live given its close proximity to the Capitol. US Capitol Police said it has investigators working with DC Metropolitan Police given that the victim was a member of Congress.
Rising crime has been a major topic of conversation in the nation's capital as carjacking is increasing year-to-date, according to DC police statistics. There have been 753 carjackings throughout the District so far this year. Last year, there were 485 incidents in total.
Rep. Angie Craig, a Minnesota Democrat, previously fended off an attacker who followed her into an elevator by throwing hot coffee on him.
Lawmakers also previously opposed a sweeping overhaul of DC's criminal code, using the special power they hold over the city after city councilors moved to reduce penalties for burglary and carjacking. Councilors also increased penalties for other crimes such as attempted murder. Both Craig and Cuellar voted in favor of the repeal along with 31 other House Democrats. While Democrats generally oppose congressional meddling and support DC statehood, some more centrist lawmakers felt the changes went too far. President Joe Biden also later promised to sign the repeal into law, which he did after it passed the Senate.
The Post previously reported how carjackings are on the rise throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
A 10-term congressman, Cuellar is regarded as a centrist within his party. His anti-abortion views helped lead to some progressive Democrats backing Jessica Cisneros in her two unsuccessful primary challenges.