What happened at the restaurant?

On Saturday, January 8, 2024, a heated argument broke out between U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert and her ex-husband Jayson Boebert at a restaurant in Silt, Colorado. The couple had been divorced last year and were trying to get on better terms, according to Jayson Boebert.

However, things took a violent turn when Jayson Boebert accused his ex-wife of punching him in the face during the altercation. He called 911 and reported that he was a victim of domestic violence by Lauren Boebert. He also claimed that she had threatened to kill him and his family.

Lauren Boebert denied the allegations and said that she did not punch Jayson in the face and no one was arrested. She said that she was consulting with her lawyer about the false claims he made against her and evaluating all of her legal options.

The restaurant did not have any surveillance video recording at the time and no witnesses came forward to provide a statement about what happened, according to Silt police.

What was the outcome of the investigation?

On Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Silt police announced that they had closed their investigation into Lauren Boebert due to a lack of any evidence. They said that the allegations of domestic violence against Lauren Boebert were unfounded and that there was no indication of any criminal activity by either party.

Jayson Boebert was arrested on Tuesday for third-degree criminal trespass, obstruction and disorderly conduct in connection with the restaurant incident, along with other charges pursued by county authorities. He was released the same day, according to jail records.

Jayson Boebert did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press or The Denver Post. He previously told The Denver Post that he called police on Sunday morning to say he didn’t want to press charges. “I don’t want nothing to happen,” Jayson Boebert said. “Her and I were working through a difficult conversation.”

How did this affect Lauren Boebert’s political career?

Lauren Boebert is a Republican who has served two terms in the U.S. House representing the western side of Colorado. She announced on Dec. 27 that she was switching congressional districts this year to run for a seat representing the eastern side of the state.

In her current district, she likely would have faced a Democratic challenger who nearly defeated her in the 2022 general election and who has far outraised her.

In September, Lauren Boebert and a guest were kicked out of a musical performance of “Beetlejuice” in Denver after guests complained they were vaping, singing, using phones and causing a disturbance. She later apologized.

In her relatively short time in Washington, Lauren Boebert built a national profile and has aligned with the extreme right wing of the GOP. Her assertive style has grabbed headlines, most famously when she heckled President Joe Biden during his 2022 State of the Union address.

She is also known for carrying firearms in public places and making controversial statements on social media.