Paul gives first interview since alleged assault

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), in his first interview since returning to the Senate, said Monday there is “no justification” for the reported assault that left him with six broken ribs and a damaged lung. 

“From my perspective, I’m not really too concerned about what someone’s motive is. I’m just concerned that I was attacked from the back and somebody broke six of my ribs and gave me a damaged lung where, at least for now, I have trouble speaking and breathing and now I’ve hurt for 10 days,” Paul told Paul Bedard, a columnist for The Washington Examiner.

“There is no motive that would justify hitting somebody from behind and breaking their ribs and damaging their lungs, so no, there is no justification for something like that,” the former Republican presidential candidate added.

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Paul was allegedly attacked from behind by his neighbor as he was doing yard work earlier this month.

The suspect, Rene Boucher, was charged with fourth-degree assault and released over the weekend on $7,500 bond.

Paul said the two men have not had any interaction in a decade.

“My first encounter was basically being hit in the back,” he told the Examiner. “We’ve never had words over anything, we’ve never had a dispute or discussion or words.”

The Kentucky senator, whose injuries could take months to heal, said “there is going to be a criminal prosecution.”

Boucher, who shares property line with Paul in Bowling Green, Ky., pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor assault charge during a court appearance last week.

The motives for the mysterious incident are not yet known. Boucher’s lawyer has denied that the attack was politically motivated.

The Examiner report also highlights that Boucher has criticized President Trump and Republicans on social media.

Paul returned to Capitol Hill on Monday during an important week for Republicans as they move forward with their tax-reform efforts.