Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas is facing criticism after he was described as aggressive and threatening during a recent incident at a rodeo. According to a Texas sheriff’s report, law enforcement officials detained Jackson after he assisted in a chaotic medical situation and refused to comply with a state trooper’s demands.
Newly released body camera and dash camera footage from the Texas Department of Public Safety shows Jackson getting into an obscenity-laced argument with law enforcement after being pushed to the ground and handcuffed. The incident took place at the White Deer rodeo, about 45 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas. Jackson was briefly detained but was uncuffed minutes later.
In the sheriff’s report, Sheriff Tam Terry of Carson County wrote that Jackson demanded an investigation into the incident and threatened to “bury” him in the next election. The report also included statements from officers who described Jackson as belligerent and aggressive. One officer stated that Jackson shouted, “Do you know who the f**k I am? Get these f**king handcuffs off of me.”
According to the report, Jackson was seen drinking alcohol earlier that night backstage, a claim that was denied by Jackson’s office. The report also included a statement from an EMS medic who said Jackson appeared drunk. However, Jackson’s spokesperson denied these allegations and stated that he was prevented from providing medical care in a potentially life-threatening situation.
The body camera footage and the sheriff’s report paint a more detailed picture of the incident, showing Jackson’s anger towards authorities after repeatedly ignoring warnings to step away from the patient. The chaotic and crowded environment led to confusion among authorities and medical professionals trying to assist the patient, according to the report.
Sheriff Terry spoke with Jackson after the incident, and Jackson expressed his frustration at being pulled away from the patient despite his credentials as a board-certified emergency physician. Jackson claimed that the patient was stable and not in distress but was met with opposing arguments from others at the scene.
In response to the incident, Jackson demanded an investigation and said there should be consequences for the deputies involved. The Texas Rangers reviewed the body and dash camera videos and deemed the actions of the deputies as appropriate and necessary.
Jackson, who previously served as the White House physician for Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, retired from the US Navy as a rear admiral in 2019 and was elected to represent the 13th Congressional District in Texas in 2020. CNN has reached out to the governor’s office for comment on whether Jackson reached out to him.