Florida Atlantic University student government officials moved to impeach Boca Raton House Rep. Christian “CJ” Walden during an emergency House meeting on Friday following his arrest earlier this week on a felony charge involving an attempt to meet a minor of the age of 13.
With a vote of 20-0 and no opposition, the bill to impeach Walden from his cabinet position was approved, while the bill to officially remove Walden from the House in its entirety was voted 18-0 to postpone for Friday, June 5. House meeting. Following the approval of the impeachment bill, Representative Ayden Corley was elected to replace Walden as Ways and Means chair.
Officers from the Delray Beach Police Department arrested Walden on Tuesday after a local social media group known as “561 Predator Catchers” posted videos alleging Walden had arranged to meet with what he believed was a 13-year-old boy, according to arrest records.
Court records show Walden was released after posting a $5000 bond, under conditions that reportedly include no contact with minors and restricted internet or social media access pending trial.
Walden’s parents made a GoFundMe after Walden’s release, with a statement explaining that their son is innocent and how these charges have affected his life, saying, “The public smearing by a vigilante group has been relentless, labeling him a ‘Predator,’ which is simply not true. Christian is a gentle, kind, and caring young man who was on track to graduate from FAU in Boca Raton, Florida, with honors … Now, at just 21 years old, his future is at risk because of these false accusations and the actions of a hate group that lured him into this situation.”
Since the arrest, several student organizations and political groups associated with Walden, including Lavender Alliance and Sunshine Party, have publicly called for his removal from leadership positions.
During the House meeting’s open forum, Katherine Richards, president of Lavender Alliance, and Angel Avalos Garcia, president of Sunshine Party, gave statements about Walden’s removal from their groups.
“We condemn this behavior and have dissolved all ties with him, and we urge you to do the same. This behavior does not reflect our community. And is unwelcome in our spaces.” Richards states.
Rules and Policies Chair Faisal Albaldawi adds a statement about Walden’s removal, recognizing that this isn’t only about Walden but about protecting students in general as student leaders.
Albadawi states, “There will be a temptation in the days ahead to treat this as a story about one person and one arrest. It’s not, it’s rather a test of whether this body responds to the way that our students expect us to or if we flinch.”
The Boca House Speaker, Jack Nixion, states that his committee, going forward, will do a better job of selecting whom they appoint, while he refers to the different committees Walden went through before being appointed as chair of Ways and Means, including FAU’s background check.
Before the impeachment effort, Walden had built a reputation across campus for his involvement in political groups and student advocacy initiatives.
Walden served as treasurer for the FAU College Democrats and helped organize opposition to FAU’s 287(g) agreement, which allows collaboration between campus police and federal immigration enforcement authorities. He also participated in student-led First Amendment training sessions connected to demonstrations held on campus earlier this semester.
Walden was active in LGBTQIA+ advocacy efforts on campus. Following controversy surrounding a Turning Point USA display on FAU’s campus Breezeway that was reportedly viewed as anti-transgender, Walden worked closely with the student organization, Lavender Alliance, to investigate LGBTQIA+ student experiences at FAU.
Those efforts later contributed to a bill Walden authored recognizing June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month at FAU.
As of Thursday evening, Walden remains charged with a felony offense and is scheduled to appear in court on June 25.
The impeachment meeting remains ongoing, and this story will be updated with statements from House members and the final vote on Friday, June. 5th.
Emily Ives is the Political Reporter for the University Press. Email her at [email protected] for more information on this and other stories.
