Indian-American lawyer and prominent MAGA supporter Mehek Cooke has alleged she was physically attacked on the very first day of a fraud investigation in Columbus, Ohio. The incident, which she claims stemmed from her inquiries into home health care services, was captured in a nearly eight-minute video she shared on social media platform X.
Confrontation Erupts During Inquiry
In the video, Cooke and a companion are seen approaching a home health care office to ask questions about their services. The staff at the location initially refused to engage with them. The situation quickly escalated when a group of men confronted the investigators, demanding to know their purpose for being there.
Cooke explained she was "asking about Home Health Care Services," but the men accused her of spreading false information targeting the Somali community. The exchange turned personal when one man remarked, "You are from India. You aren't a white person," and added, "Because your last name is Cooke doesn't mean that you're white. You're from India and you just spread a lot of BS."
Cooke's Defense and Attempt to De-escalate
Cooke, a Republican consultant and conservative commentator born in India, repeatedly denied the accusations. She insisted her team was not there to harass anyone but was focused on investigating alleged fraud. She pointed out that the building housed 34 home health care businesses and that they had visited each one.
Attempting to calm the heated situation, Cooke stated, "We are peacefully here," and urged the men to watch her previous videos, which she said documented respectful interactions with members of the Somali community. The video shows a tense scene with overlapping arguments, but Cooke and her companion eventually left the premises without further physical altercation.
Aftermath and Public Reaction
Following the incident, Cooke took to X again to question the business's response. She replied to her own post asking, "What kind of business responds to questions about their services with intimidation?" The video has since sparked discussion online about the nature of her investigation and the response it provoked.
Cooke has been vocal about her allegations of widespread Medicaid fraud in Ohio, often focusing on home health care services. This incident marks a significant and controversial moment in her campaign, highlighting the volatile reactions such investigations can trigger.
