Derrick Van Orden accuses RNC protester of assault in ‘incident of political violence’

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) is accusing an anti-war protester of assaulting him in Milwaukee during the Republican National Convention.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in downtown Milwaukee, about a five-minute drive from Fiserv Forum, where the convention is being held. The Milwaukee Police Department said it is investigating the incident as an assault. 

“While standing in line to enter an event at the RNC today, I was assaulted by what appeared to be a member of the pro-Hamas group CODEPINK. A nearby police officer witnessed this assault and I understand they have been arrested,” Van Orden posted on X. 

“This appears to be an incident of political violence and I will never tolerate this. Regardless of the severity of the violence, political violence is political violence,” he continued.

Code Pink, a left-wing anti-war organization, denied the assault in a statement saying Code Pink “unequivocally states that no one from our organization assaulted anyone.” It added that it believes the arrest of Nour Jaghama is “unjust.”

“While peacefully waiting in line to enter an event, Jaghama, a visibly Palestinian woman, was intentionally bumped into by Rep. Derrick Van Orden while he tried to shove past her. Despite not reacting to this, Nour was falsely accused of ‘alleged’ assault by a Texas State police officer on the scene and we are told she will be taken to a Milwaukee Police Department for arrest. Notably, two other CODEPINK staff members ahead of her in line passed through without any issues, raising concerns of racial profiling,” the statement said.

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Milwaukee police told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Jaghama, 24, “battered the victim” and was taken into custody. “The victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention on scene,” police said, with the “victim” referring to Van Orden.

Milwaukee police also said charges “will be reviewed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office.”