Sen. Cory Booker’s driver arrested with gun in Senate gallery

☑️ Sen. Cory Booker criticized President Donald Trump's policies for 25 hours

☑️ As he was getting started Monday a staffer was arrested

☑️ Kevin Batts has worked with Booker since 2006

As Sen. Cory Booker began his record-breaking speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate his driver was being arrested on a charge of carrying a pistol without a license Capitol building.

Capitol police said Kevin A. Batts, 59, a retired law enforcement officer, was in the Senate Galleries when he told an officer he was armed. Earlier in the afternoon, a "member of Congress" led Betts around a security checkpoint at the Hart Senate Office Building. It is a perk of the office that members of Congress can get guests around security.

"All weapons are prohibited from Capitol Grounds, even if you are a retired law enforcement officer, or have a permit to carry in another state or the District of Columbia," Capitol police said in their statement about the incident.

In a statement, Booker spokesman Jeff Giertz said that a retired Newark police officer is employed as a "New Jersey-based driver who often accompanies him to events,” adding that the office is working to better understand the circumstances around this.”

ALSO READ: NJ Sen. Cory Booker sets a record with marathon Senate speech

'The Batt Man'

Booker posted an Instagram video of them grocery shopping. Batts was wearing a Dallas Cowboys shirt.

"How can a Jersey Boy like that Texas team!? Go Giants," Booker wrote.

He also nicknamed Batts "The Batt Man" in a 2022 video set to the iconic TV show theme. Booker's brother calls Batts a "man of honor."

"He is a constant reminder as we work for the big changes, continue to do good things right now where you are, as best you can," the senator wrote.

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