Republican Congressman Clay Higgins abuses an activist at the press conference

Republican Rep. Clay Higgins (La.) sparked criticism Wednesday after aggressively removing a protester from a Washington DC news conference

Jake Burdett, 25, tweeted footage Wednesday afternoon confronting Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) at a media event in the Capitol. In one clip, the activist yells questions at Gosar before Higgins quickly approaches him, introduces himself as a Louisiana representative, and asks Burdett to “stand by peacefully with your camera, and I promise you … I’ll talk to you directly.” Report Sign up and answer all your questions. Fair enough?”

But in a second video, Burdett again calls out questions to Boebert about her recent divorce filing before Higgins rushes in and manhandles him.

“Aren’t you a congressman touching me?” says the protester in the video. “Get away from me! You’re hurting me!”

Burdett said he merely asked “tough questions” to Gosar, who is known for his close ties to Gosar Right-wing extremists, including Nick Fuentesand Boebert.

However, Higgins told HuffPost that Burdett was “threatening” and appeared to be referring to a police code for harassment by a person with mental health issues.

“He was escorted and handed over to the Capitol Police,” he said. “textbook.”

Burdett said The Daily Beast He was not injured in the incident and was eventually released by Capitol Police. He was in Washington to attend a Medicare for All rally for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), but noted that Gosar and Boebert set up a press conference after that event.

“I thought I’d ask you some tough questions,” he said to the beast. “Bird dog, whatever you want to call it.”

He added to the website that he was evaluating his legal options but was “absolutely ready to press charges.”