Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer was assaulted and robbed Monday in Oakland, California, her son said.
The shocking attack comes just weeks after Democrats effectively defunded the police in the city, critics were quick to note.
The assault happened in the Jack London Square neighborhood, according to a tweet on Boxer’s verified Twitter account.
“The assailant pushed her in the back, stole her cell phone and jumped in a waiting car,” the tweet said. “She is thankful that she was not seriously injured.”
Earlier today former Senator Barbara Boxer was assaulted in the Jack London Square neighborhood of Oakland. The assailant pushed her in the back, stole her cell phone and jumped in a waiting car. She is thankful that she was not seriously injured."
— Barbara Boxer (@BarbaraBoxer) July 26, 2021
The tweet was confirmed via email by Boxer’s son, Douglas Boxer, an attorney.
Responding to multiple media inquiries, the Oakland Police Department confirmed a robbery at about 1:15 p.m. in the area, but didn’t identify the victim.
“The suspect forcefully took loss from the victim, and fled in a nearby waiting vehicle,” the Oakland Police Department said in their statement.
The robbery remains under investigation.
Boxer, 80, represented California in the U.S. Senate from 1993 until 2017. The longtime Democratic Party leader did not seek reelection in 2016.
Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong made an emotional plea in June when the Oakland City Council cut millions from the police budget.
“Today, we find ourselves in a crisis … Crime is out of control in the city of Oakland,” Armstrong said at the time.
Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong speaks about rising crime in his city and the city council cutting millions away from his department’s budget:
“Today, we find ourselves in a crisis…Crime is out of control in the city of Oakland.”pic.twitter.com/lcZ9kbNUFN
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 28, 2021
The Associated Press contributed to this article