Federal authorities will soon file additional charges in the attack on Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), according to a Fox News report.
Paul's neighbor, Rene Boucher, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to misdemeanor assault in the fourth degree. Authorities say he tackled Paul from behind while the senator was mowing his lawn Saturday at his Bowling Green home and broke six of his ribs.
The motive for the alleged assault remains unclear. Originally Paul's attorney said it was something most people would consider "trivial." Outlets like CNN quoted neighbors saying the two men were often at odds over lawn maintenance.
But Fox News now reports that the senator was also informed by federal authorities to expect federal charges to be filed against Boucher.
Generally, assault of a senator is only a federal crime when committed in the commission of their duties. That makes it highly likely that investigators believe the crime was politically motivated in some fashion, Fox's legal analysts noted.
Boucher is a registered Democrat. A mutual friend of both men told the Washington Post that Boucher is a "socialist."
"He was active on social media and said some negative things about the Republican agenda," one of Boucher's coworkers said.