Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost assaulted at Sundance Film Festival event, police say

Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost was assaulted at a Sundance Film Festival party in Utah, with the alleged attacker making racially charged deportation threats before punching him, according to police and Frost’s statements, underscoring rising concerns over political violence and safety for public officials. The incident occurred on January 24, 2026, at a private event hosted by the talent agency CAA in Park City’s High West Saloon. Police reported that Christian Young, an uninvited guest, forced his way into the party after being turned away earlier, then confronted Frost in a restroom, shouting that former President Donald Trump would deport him before delivering a punch to the face. A woman attending the gathering was also assaulted in the altercation, with security personnel quickly intervening to remove the suspect from the premises. Park City Police arrested Young and booked him into the Summit County Jail on charges including aggravated burglary and simple assault, with sentencing enhancements considered due to the racially motivated nature of the attack. Lieutenant Danielle Snelson confirmed that officers responded to an assault report and determined Young had unlawfully entered the private event, where he targeted Frost and the other victim. The police department has not released the full arrest report but emphasized the seriousness of the incident, which involved hate speech and physical violence. Frost, a 29-year-old Democrat from Florida, described the assault on social media platform X, stating he was “punched in the face” by a man who “told me that Trump was going to deport me.” He expressed gratitude toward venue security and local law enforcement for their prompt response, adding that he is physically okay but shaken by the event. In his posts, Frost noted the attacker was “heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off,” highlighting the hate-driven motivation behind the violence. The Sundance Film Festival issued a statement strongly condemning the assault and any form of violence, harassment, or hate speech, although the party was not an official festival event. A spokesperson emphasized that such behavior is intolerable and against the festival’s values of fostering a welcoming environment, with thoughts extended to Frost for his well-being. This incident has cast a shadow over the annual independent film festival, which has been held in Utah for decades but is set to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, next year. Political leaders quickly responded to the attack, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressing horror and calling for the suspect to be “aggressively prosecuted.” In a post on X, Jeffries asserted that “hate and political violence has no place in our country,” and affirmed the support of the entire House Democratic Caucus for Frost. This event adds to a growing pattern of violence targeting political figures, following recent tragedies such as the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah and the shooting of a Minnesota state representative last year. Frost, who made history as the first member of Generation Z elected to Congress in 2022, has been an outspoken advocate on issues like voting rights and gun violence prevention. The assault raises questions about the safety of public officials, especially in light of increased security measures, including a House program providing members with $20,000 monthly for personal protection. Frost urged vigilance in a follow-up post, writing, “We are in scary times. Please stay safe and do not let these people silence you. Onwards.” As investigations continue, authorities are reviewing the details of the assault, with the U.S. Capitol Police potentially involved given Frost’s status as a federal lawmaker. The case underscores broader societal tensions and the need for robust security protocols at public events, while the festival community and political observers await further developments in the legal proceedings against the alleged attacker.