GOP Senator Rand Paul, (Ky.), who was tackled while mowing the lawn at his Bowling Green, Kentucky residence, is fine after suffering minor injuries to his face and one rib. The 2016 GOP Primary Presidential candidate, who labelled Donald Trump's attack on Syria as unconstitutional in April of 2017, allegedly has been involved in an ongoing dispute with his neighbor, Rene Albert Boucher, 59. Authorities are investigating the attack by Boucher, who is a local anesthesiologist, to see if it emanated from the personal dispute, or if it was politically motivated.

As of now, Boucher has been charged with misdemeanor assault and is being held at the Warren County Regional Jail in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

How the case will be prosecuted

If it turns out that Boucher had political motives for the attack, the case will become much more serious. At that point, the case will become a matter for the federal courts. The distinction between a personal attack and a political attack is on a fine line. If the investigation reveals that Boucher said anything to Paul that denoted his status as a United States Senator, or attacked his views on the issues, then the attack can be elevated to a federal offense.

On the other hand, if Boucher said nothing when he committed the attack, or if he said something personal, but not political, the offense most likely will be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.

The determination as to how the case will be prosecuted will not made until the federal investigation is complete. The State Police are not yet releasing any information on the attack for security reasons.

Senators' two homes

As a rule, United States Senators maintain two homes, one in their home state and one in Washington, D.C..

They must maintain their primary residence to retain their right to represent their home states in the United States Senate. And they must maintain a home in Washington, D.C. that is nice enough for hosting guests at dinner parties and other similar events. It is a great deal to juggle financially, considering that Senators make around $178,000 per year.

Maintaining two households on that salary can be challenging, especially considering the costs of housing in Washington, D.C.. In consideration of the high expenses involved in being a Senator, it is no wonder that Paul, whose colleague Bob Corker is considering a Presidential run in 2020, was mowing his own lawn instead of hiring someone to do it for him.

Becoming a lobbyist

One year after a Senator leaves office, he or she is eligible to become a lobbyist on Capitol Hill, a highly profitable venture for most former Senators. In Paul's case, he also will be eligible to practice medicine since he also is a licensed medical doctor. Whether or not he will practice medicine at the same hospital as Boucher remains to be determined.
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