An 80-year-old United States congressman and his wife have been rushed to hospital following what has been described as a "pretty bad" car accident.
Trump Reveals Details of the Accident
President Donald Trump disclosed the incident involving Representative Jim Baird and his spouse during a speech to Republican lawmakers at the Kennedy Center on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. Trump assured the audience that the couple "are going to be OK" but confirmed the collision was serious.
"They're going to be OK, but they had a pretty bad accident, and we're praying that they get out of that hospital very quickly," the President stated. He added, "He's going to be fine. She's going to be fine."
Congressman's Condition and Political Context
Jim Baird, the Republican who represents west central Indiana, was first elected to Congress in 2019. A spokesperson for his congressional office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment on the crash or the couple's medical status.
The news arrives during a difficult period for the GOP in Washington D.C., as they mourn the death of California Republican Doug LaMalfa, a seven-term representative. Combined with the resignation of Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Greene, these developments have significantly tightened the party's control in the House of Representatives.
The Republican majority now stands at a precarious 218 seats, compared to 213 for the Democrats.
A Tragic History for Indiana Politicians
This incident tragically echoes a previous event involving an Indiana representative. In 2022, Republican Congresswoman Jackie Walorski was killed in a head-on vehicle collision in her northern Indiana district. The crash also claimed the lives of two of her staff members and the driver of the other vehicle.
The political community is now awaiting further updates on the condition of Congressman Baird and his wife, hoping for their swift and full recovery.
