Rep. David Scott Confronts Capitol Photographer in Fiery Exchange

Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) confronted a photographer outside the Capitol on Wednesday, vehemently shouting that he was an “a–hole” for capturing his image — amidst growing worries regarding the eleven-term congressman’s mental capabilities.

Scott, aged 79, was being escorted into the building by an aide when Politico photographer Francis Chung commenced taking photographs.

“Who granted you the authority to take my picture, a–hole?” the Georgia Democrat yelled, as reported by Punchbowl News.

His spokesperson later confronted Chung, asserting that the photographer should refrain from “taking pictures of us while we’re attempting to enter the Capitol” in the future.

“I’ll kindly request that you do not do that,” the representative added. “We will be contacting your editor, whoever it is we need to reach out to.”

Scott has been the chair of the House Agriculture Committee since January 2021 — yet some associates have voiced significant concerns regarding his cognitive sharpness.

As the primary Democrat on the panel, he frequently reads from a script and struggles with discussing intricate aspects of policy, according to sources on Capitol Hill who interacted with Scott throughout late 2023 and into 2024 told Politico.

Another Democratic lawmaker informed Punchbowl in September that numerous members of their House caucus doubt Scott can effectively lead the committee anymore.

“I haven’t encountered a member who isn’t worried,” the Democratic representative stated. “There was considerable frustration leading up to the markup. We required a communications strategy and a legislative strategy, but it took us a while to get organized.”

The lawmaker has also been known to leave Agriculture Committee meetings midway — despite his rank as the leading member — and then not return.

“I believe just about everyone is in favor of fresh leadership, and if anyone states otherwise, then they’re not being honest,” another Democratic lawmaker conveyed to Politico.

“David Scott is Exhibit A for term limits,” the lawmaker continued. “He was a respected, skillful member who has diminished over time. And it’s distressing for people to observe.”

Those close to the Georgia congressman indicated as early as 2022 that he has experienced “difficulty at times concentrating on a topic,” according to the outlet.

“I hold the utmost regard for Chairman Scott,” a Democratic member of the Agriculture panel commented that year. “However, he could certainly perform better.”

“I cannot definitively say if it’s his health or something else, but something is amiss,” the representative added.

Another Democrat on the agriculture panel informed Politico in 2022, “It’s not truly about his physical health. He finds it challenging to get around,” complementing, “but there are genuine concerns about whether he is mentally present.”

Scott dismissed the worries that same year in a dialogue with the outlet as merely a maneuver to displace him from leadership.

“You have individuals there that aspire to be chairman, and they observe you with a cane to assist with your mobility,” he retorted.

“People shouldn’t allow the fact that you’re experiencing a bit of trouble with your leg to deprive you of an opportunity.”

Scott’s office did not respond immediately to a request for comment from The Post.