Tim Kaine’s son charged with misdemeanor after Trump rally incident

Sen. Tim Kaine’s (D-Va.) son Linwood “Woody” Kaine was charged Friday with a misdemeanor in Minnesota after participating in a counter-protest against a pro-President Trump rally at the state Capitol in March.

Prosecutors are charging Kaine with “fleeing on foot, concealing identity in a public place, and obstructing legal process.”

Protestors got out of hand when they interrupted the March 4 rally in St. Paul — blowing air horns, lobbing smoke bombs into the crowd and clashing with rally attendees and local security. 

“Some of the counter-demonstrators, equipped with face and head coverings and goggles, broke away and attempted to enter the rally from the second floor staircase by pushing and shoving,” Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said in a news release. “During the disturbance, they employed smoke bombs, mace and fireworks, thereby creating a chaotic and dangerous situation.”

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Authorities pursued some of the protesters involved, including Kaine.

A probable cause document reviewed by CNN says Kaine fled from a police officer, who then caught-up to him and knocked him down. It took several officers to detain him, the document adds.

If Kaine is found guilty of the obstruction charge, a gross misdemeanor, he could face up to one year in prison or a fine of as much as $3,000.

Miryam Lipper, a spokeswoman for the senator, told a local paper that the charges do not include a “suggestion that he engaged in disruptive behavior while at the rally.”

“Today’s announcement of misdemeanor charges against Sen. Kaine’s son contains no suggestion that he engaged in disruptive behavior while at the rally, but are instead focused on his actions as he was arrested after he left,” Lipper said in a statement. “Tim and Anne support their son and hope the matter is resolved soon.”

It was unclear whether Kaine has retained a lawyer to represent him.

Choi previously came under fire by Trump supporters for first deciding not to charge Linwood Kaine, noting he was unaware of who his father was when he made the decision.  

Seven others involved in the protests have been charged, with two facing felonies.

Linwood Kaine is second of Tim Kaine and his wife Anne Holton’s three children.