Former Hill staffer charged with staging violent political attack on herself
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Rep. Jeff Van Drew shakes hands with President Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in December 2019 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
A former congressional staffer for Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) has been charged for allegedly staging her own assault, the Justice Department said on Wednesday.
The big picture: The woman was charged with conspiring and falsely reporting to law enforcement following an alleged July 2025 attack by three men at a nature preserve in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.
- According to the criminal complaint, Natalie Green, 26, was found with the words "TRUMP WHORE" written on her stomach and a claim that a federal official, whose name was redacted, is racist written on her back.
- Greene's co-conspirator told a 911 operator that the men called Greene by name and referenced her federal employment during the attack, the complaint said.
Driving the news: "While Natalie is no longer associated with the Congressman's government office, our thoughts and prayers are with her," Paxton Antonucci, Van Drew's spokesperson, said in a statement. "We hope she's getting the care she needs."
- Van Drew was elected as a Democrat in 2018 and switched parties in 2019.
- Greene's last job with his office was as a constituent advocate director starting in June 2024, per LegiStorm, which tracks political staffer employment. She previously served as a constituent advocate from June 2023 to June 2024 and a district intern in 2021 and 2023.
- The White House referred Axios to the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Zoom in: Investigators allegedly found that Greene paid a body modification and scarification artist to cut lacerations on her face, neck, upper chest and shoulder, according to the complaint.
- When found, she was bound together with zip ties, according to the complaint. Similar ones were later recovered in her car.
- Greene's co-conspirator's cell phone was used to search "zip ties near me" two days before the attack, the complaint said.
What we're watching: Greene made her initial appearance in federal court on Wednesday and was released on a $200,000 unsecured bond and additional conditions.
- Each count has a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a term of three years of supervised release.
Go deeper: Political violence, vengeance shove MAGA divides to backburner
Editor's note: This article has been updated with images from the criminal complaint.
