Edmonds, Washington – An 82-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of a hate crime and assault following a heated altercation with Trump supporters in Edmonds, Washington. According to police, the woman allegedly confronted a Trump supporter about her voting choice, suggesting it was influenced by her skin color.
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Incident Details
The confrontation occurred on Monday at an intersection where Trump supporters had gathered, just a day before the general election. Edmonds, a city roughly 17 miles north of Seattle, saw heightened political activity in the lead-up to the election.
According to the Edmonds Police Department, the elderly suspect, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, allegedly pushed and punched a 55-year-old female Trump supporter during a verbal dispute. As the situation escalated, a second Trump supporter, aged 66, intervened, at which point the suspect reportedly struck her on the chin while demonstrating how she had pushed the first supporter.
“Neither victim suffered significant injury nor required medical treatment,” the Edmonds Police Department said in a press release on Wednesday.
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Body Camera Footage and Statements
Body camera footage shows the suspect, wearing a Harris-Walz pin, telling an officer she had asked the first Trump supporter, “I want to know why you’re voting for Trump,” reportedly adding, “Because you’re brown-skinned.” The suspect expressed frustration with racial tensions in the U.S. and explained her reasoning for questioning the woman’s support of Trump.
The initial Trump supporter responded by accusing the suspect of being racist, which the suspect said led her to push the woman away. “It wasn’t hard,” the suspect told the officer, admitting her actions “didn’t help the situation.”
In body camera footage, the Trump supporter recounted the incident to another officer, stating, “She made it very clear it was my skin color… I have freedom of speech, you can say whatever you want. You can’t touch me.”
When asked if she wanted to press charges, the woman affirmed, citing discomfort with the physical confrontation.
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Additional Statements and Charges
The suspect further explained her intentions to the police, indicating that she wanted to discuss Trump support with people of color. “I am definitely not a racist,” she said. However, the officer pointed out that singling out individuals based on race could be perceived as racially motivated.
The woman was subsequently booked into the Snohomish County Jail on charges of a hate crime and assault, according to the Edmonds Police Department. She was later released on personal recognizance after a probable cause hearing.
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Official Reactions
Edmonds Police Chief Michelle Bennett emphasized that the officers handled the situation appropriately, stating, “The constitution protects peaceful rallies in our community, and community members should never be met with violence while exercising those rights.”
Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen expressed disappointment over the incident, saying, “Community members peacefully showing political support should not be subject to hateful violence.” He added that he was grateful no serious injuries were reported.
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Next Steps in the Case
As of now, no formal charges have been filed. The Snohomish County prosecutor’s office will review the case for a charging decision, though no timeline has been set.
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