In a startling incident on Capitol Hill, Representative Tim Burchett found himself at the center of a physical altercation with a protester shortly after House votes concluded on Thursday. The confrontation occurred outside the Longworth House Office Building, culminating in the Tennessee Republican shoving the protester who had confronted him over his views on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

According to Burchett's office, the altercation began when the protester aggressively questioned the congressman about his stance and subsequently bumped into him. The physical contact prompted Burchett to react by pushing the man away. Capitol Police were quick to intervene, detaining the protester for questioning. As of now, the department has yet to officially comment on the incident.

Will Garrett, a spokesperson for Rep. Burchett, made a statement defending the congressman's actions, emphasizing that while individuals are entitled to their opinions, they are not permitted to physically engage with lawmakers. “Everyone has a right to their opinion, and they can say all of the filthy stuff they want. But they don’t have the right to bump the Congressman,” Garrett explained.

Adding a lighter note to the otherwise tense situation, Rep. Burchett later commented that the protester “had bad breath,” an offhand remark that underscored the unexpected nature of the encounter.

This is not the first time Rep. Burchett has been involved in confrontations. He has been known as a frequent critic of House GOP leaders and had a notable clash with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy following his vote to oust McCarthy from his leadership position.

The incident raises questions about the security measures in place at the Capitol and the increasing tension between public officials and citizens over contentious political issues. As the situation unfolds, further details are awaited to clarify the motivations behind the protester's actions and any repercussions that might follow for all parties involved.

*Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.*