A traffic stop in a small Maryland town garnered national attention when a confrontation between a sheriff and a lawmaker spilled over onto the airwaves.
The confrontation was captured on 930 WFMD in Frederick on the Mid Maryland Live show. The conversation began when Sheriff Chuck Jenkins revealed that one of his deputies had pulled over a Black motorist for a simple moving violation.
County councilman Kai Hagen called into the show after Jenkins repeatedly accused him of interfering with the traffic stop by inserting himself into the conversation between the deputy and the motorist. At the time, Hagen just happened to be out driving around with his wife.
Hagen said the only reason he stopped was because he noticed the motorist was Black.
“So you’re telling me that the reason you came back is because the driver of the vehicle is African-American or Black,” the Sheriff asked.
“That was a consideration,” Hagen responded.
The Sheriff said, “you explain why.”
To which Hagen said, “Because there are concerns.” The Sheriff interrupted by saying “bullshit!”
Frederick, Maryland is sandwiched in between Baltimore and Washington D.C. The city has been the target of several BLM protests which have called for the resignation of Jenkins as the sheriff of Frederick County.
You can listen to the entire exchange right here.
