Fox News: Rand Paul told to 'expect federal charges' against his assailant, meaning attack was probably politically motivated

The story of the attack on Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has been, to say the least, odd. At first, we were told that Paul's injuries were limited to some superficial bruises. Then, we learned they were much more severe - 6 badly broken ribs and at least one bruised lung. Paul is recovering, but no one knows how long it will be before he returns to Washington.

I appreciate all of the support from everyone. A medical update: final report indicates six broken ribs & new X-ray shows a pleural effusion

— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) November 8, 2017

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As for the attacker, Rene Boucher, his motive is still unknown. There were initial rumblings of ongoing property disputes regarding a pumpkin patch and yard waste but, like Senator Paul's bruises, it's starting to sound like things are about to get much more serious. According to Paul's staff, the Senator hadn't spoken to his neighbor in years, and Paul's neighbors seem unaware of any such conflict. Boucher’s attorney insists there was no political component to the attack but, a few days ago, the Washington Post raised eyebrows when it offered the following tidbit...

Jim Bullington, a former member of the city commission, knows both men. He said Sunday that Boucher is divorced and lives alone. Bullington described Boucher as a socialist. “He’s pretty much the opposite of Rand Paul in every way,” Bullington said in an interview. The neighbors had been known to have “heated discussions” about health care, Bullington said, adding that Boucher is an advocate of a national health system.

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Now, Fox News is reporting that Senator Paul has been told to "expect federal charges" to be filed against Boucher. If true, that would indicate investigators believe the incident to have been indeed politically motivated. Assaulting a Senator is usually only a federal crime if the attack is committed in relation to the execution of the Senator's duties, or to prevent the Senator from carrying out his work. Here's the Fox News piece, via the Washington Free Beacon YouTube Channel: Obviously, we'll have more on this as it becomes available. We wish Senator Paul a speedy recovery.

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