A man is accused of assaulting Rep. Maxwell Frost at the Sundance Film Festival

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — A man was arrested Friday night at a party during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, for allegedly assaulting a Florida congressman.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost wrote on X on Saturday that he was punched in the face by a man who told Frost that President Donald Trump would deport him. The altercation occurred at a private party hosted by talent agency CAA at High West Distillery, a popular venue for events accompanying the festival.

“He was heard shouting racial slurs as he ran away drunk,” Frost wrote. “The person was arrested and I’m fine.”

Frost, the first Gen Z member of Congress, thanked venue security and the Park City Police Department for their assistance. A Park City Police Department representative said officers arrived at the scene shortly after midnight.

Christian Joel Young, 28, was arrested on charges of aggravated robbery, assault of an elected official and assault and transported to the Summit County Jail, according to court records.

Young apparently crashed the party by jumping a fence and obtained a Sundance Film Festival pass that was not issued in his name, according to a police affidavit.

It was not clear whether Young had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The Associated Press left messages with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and Utah state courts trying to seek comment from Young or an attorney.

He watches: Maxwell Frost, a first-generation congressman, talks about the role of youth in politics

Representatives for the Sundance Film Festival issued a statement saying they “strongly condemn” the incident, noting that although it occurred at an unaffiliated event, the behavior “is inconsistent with our values ​​of maintaining a welcoming and inspiring environment for all of our attendees.”

“The safety and security of festival attendees is always our primary concern, and our thoughts are with Congressman Frost and his continued well-being,” the statement read. “We encourage anyone with additional information about this matter to contact the Park City Police Department.”

District Judge Richard Mrazek ordered Young held without bail, on the grounds that he would pose a “substantial risk to any other individual or to the community, or would be likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court if released on bail.” Young has a prior misdemeanor conviction, according to court records.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, denounced the alleged attack and said he would not allow tensions over immigration enforcement in places like Minneapolis to spill over into Utah.

“Political or racial violence of any kind is unacceptable in Utah,” Cox said in a statement. “I am grateful to local law enforcement for quickly apprehending the assailant and bringing justice to Deputy Maxwell Frost.”

He added that federal efforts to enforce immigration laws are “welcome and necessary.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote on X that he was horrified by what happened and that “the perpetrator must be vigorously prosecuted.”

“Hate and political violence have no place in our country,” Jeffries continued.

Messages seeking comment were left for CAA representatives.

Associated Press writer Hannah Schoenbaum contributed.