Texas man punches poll worker who ordered him to remove Trump hat at polling place, police say

A Texas man wearing a hat in support of former President Donald Trump punched a poll worker who told him items endorsing the candidate were not allowed at the polls, a sheriff said Friday.

The poll worker, identified as a 69-year-old man, was treated at the scene Thursday and returned to his polling station at the San Antonio library, officials said. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an elderly person and may face additional charges, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said.

The alleged attack came at the end of the first week of early voting in Texas, where long lines lined up outside some polling places.

Both the sheriff and the county elections administrator urged voters to remain calm and patient during the sometimes long wait to vote in what they called a contentious election.

“Fortunately, what happened was not life-threatening, but it was still an ugly incident,” Salazar said.

The suspect, identified as Jesse Lutzenberger, remained in jail Friday night, according to Bexar County records. Jail records did not list an attorney, and Lutzenberger’s home phone number could not immediately be located Friday.

Under Texas law, wearing clothing for or against a candidate at the polls is illegal because it is considered campaigning. Lutzenberger allegedly arrived at the polls wearing a red “MAGA or TRUMP” baseball cap, according to the affidavit.

After being told he had to remove his hat in the voting area, Lutzenberger did so and dropped the ballot, Salazar said. He then put his cap back on before leaving, after which the clerk again told him to remove his hat while inside the building.

According to Salazar, as the clerk was escorting him out of the library, Lutzenberger allegedly threw an elbow or arm back at the clerk and then turned to punch him several times in the face.

Emergency medical personnel treated the clerk at the scene, Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacques Callanen said.

Salazar said there have been “several” cases where voters have worn prohibited clothing or caps to the polls, but then removed them when the state law was explained to them.

“There is nothing here worth suffering or going to jail for,” he said.