Police in Utah have confirmed the arrest of a 28-year-old man following an alleged assault on Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost at a Sundance Film Festival event. The suspect, identified as Christian Joel Young, reportedly told the congressman "We are going to deport you and your kind" before punching him in the face, according to official documents.
Violent Confrontation at High West Distillery
The incident occurred on Friday night at the High West Distillery in Park City, Utah, during an invitation-only event. According to police reports, Young had initially been denied entry to the venue before allegedly attempting to scale a perimeter fence to gain access. Once inside, he reportedly engaged with Frost and a friend in what authorities described as "weird conversations and comments referring to... race."
Bar staff informed investigators that Young had been drinking at the venue earlier in the evening. During questioning, authorities noted that Young couldn't remember his own name but did recall being served drinks, which bar staff later confirmed.
Racist Remarks and Physical Attack
Police documents detail how Young allegedly grabbed both Frost and his friend "like he was hugging them around their necks" during the confrontation. The situation escalated when Young reportedly told the congressman, "We are going to deport you and your kind," followed by an unspecified racial slur and a punch directed at Frost's face.
In addition to allegedly assaulting the congressman, Young is accused of pushing Frost's friend against the bar. The suspect then attempted to flee through the crowd before being apprehended by venue security and another patron.
Congressman's Response and Arrest Details
Representative Frost took to social media on Saturday night to describe the attack, tweeting that he had been assaulted by a man "who told me that Trump was going to deport me before he punched me in the face. He was heard screaming racist remarks as he drunkenly ran off."
The congressman went on to thank Park City police for their swift response and arrest of the suspect. At the time of his apprehension, Young was found to be carrying a Sundance Film Festival pass in someone else's name, though he claimed not to know where it came from.
Charges and Judicial Response
Christian Joel Young now faces multiple charges including aggravated burglary, attempting/assaulting an elected official, and simple assault. A Utah judge has ordered Young held without bail, citing concerns that he represents a flight risk and "would constitute a substantial danger" to the community if released.
Police documents reveal that Young also told Frost's friend during the altercation, "You are the kind we are going to deport. You're being deported." Authorities noted that the suspect became increasingly agitated when Frost's friend attempted to end the conversation because it was becoming "inappropriate and racially charged."
Broader Context of Political Violence
This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing discussions about political violence in the United States. Despite claims from former President Donald Trump and his supporters that liberals are primarily responsible for such violence, data from the Anti-Defamation League indicates that from 2022 through 2024, all 61 political killings in the U.S. were committed by right-wing extremists.
Bruce Hoffman, a terrorism expert at Georgetown University, noted that in modern history, the political right has been responsible for more attacks on people than the left. He suggested this pattern exists because left-wing radicals typically target property rather than people, and because the extreme right includes organized militia groups.
Hoffman also pointed to potential consequences of Trump's pardon of more than 1,500 people convicted of crimes during the January 6th Capitol attack, suggesting it may have created "a belief in certain quarters that, if you engage in violence, the slate can be wiped clean."
Congressman Frost's Background
Representative Maxwell Frost made history in 2022 when he became the first Generation Z member of Congress after winning election in Florida's 10th Congressional District, which includes the Orlando area. He campaigned on progressive platforms including gun control and Medicare for all, earning endorsements from prominent figures like Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Frost defeated a crowded field of Democratic candidates for the seat and was successfully reelected in 2024. His political career has been marked by advocacy for immigrant rights and social justice issues, making the deportation threats during the assault particularly pointed.
The Sundance Film Festival, where the incident occurred, is one of the world's premier independent film events, attracting thousands of visitors to Park City each January. This year's festival has now been marked by this disturbing incident of alleged political violence against a sitting member of Congress.
