In his first interview since being attacked outside his home earlier this month, Sen. Rand Paul said he thinks politics may have been a factor in why he was targeted by his neighbor.
“It may have some relevance, but for the most part, the real question should be are you allowed to attack someone from behind in their yard when they’re out mowing their grass?” Mr. Paul, Kentucky Republican, said on Fox News in an interview that aired Tuesday.
The senator was attacked in his yard by a neighbor, Rene Boucher, on Nov. 3, leaving him with severe injuries. Mr. Boucher, a registered Democrat, has been charged in the case, but has said through his lawyer that politics were not a factor. Mr. Paul claims not to have spoken with him in over 10 years.
Mr. Paul said that he has six broken ribs and fluid in his lungs. He also said he contracted pneumonia from the injuries.
He said that it isn’t “so important” why he was attacked, adding that no reason justifies the action. When asked if Mr. Boucher indicated what he was unhappy about, Mr. Paul said he had after the assault already started.
“After my ribs were broken then he said things to me to try to indicate … he was unhappy,” Mr. Paul said. He added that whether it was “Obamacare” or “Donald Trump” that made Mr. Boucher unhappy, it doesn’t make what happened acceptable.
Despite his health setbacks, Mr. Paul returned to work in the Senate last week.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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