U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith did not appreciate being approached in the halls of Congress to be asked about therecent grand jury decision in the investigation into the death of Nolan Wells.
In a video posted online, the Mississippi U.S. senator is seen repeatedly refusing to answer questions from a reporter about the district attorney declining to issue an indictment in connection with the teen’s death earlier this year during the July 4 holiday weekend.
“Just one quick question about your state with Nolan Wells…,” says the reporter before he is cut off by Hyde-Smith. She replies, “I don’t do the hallway interviews.”
The senator, who is seeking re-election in the Nov. 3 midterm election, quickly walks over to a security desk a few feet away and asks them to have the man removed. “Can somebody help me here?” she says.
When the reporter tells the U.S. Capitol Police officer that the area is a public space and therefore had the right to ask Hyde-Smith his questions, the officer obliged, telling him, “I understand.” Seconds later, the officer accuses the reporter of harassing her, adding, “She’s not willing to give you an interview.”
Seemingly frustrated, the U.S. senator throws her hands up and walks away.
It’s hard to watch this video. A reporter asked Cindy Hyde-Smith a serious question about Nolan Wells’ tragic passing, and she chose to run away and call security. At the very least, she could have acknowledged Nolan’s family and offered her condolences for their tremendous loss.… pic.twitter.com/EmWJ0buttf
— Scott Colom (@scott_colom) September 23, 2026
Hyde-Smith’s Democratic opponent in the midterm elections, Scott Colom, reacted to the senator’s response to the Nolan Wells questions, writing on social media, “It’s hard to watch this video.”
“A reporter asked Cindy Hyde-Smith a serious question about Nolan Wells’ tragic passing, and she chose to run away and call security. At the very least, she could have acknowledged Nolan’s family and offered her condolences for their tremendous loss,” he said.
The Democrat and district attorney added, “For everyone who knew Nolan and loved him, this is deeply disappointing. No matter your politics, there should always be some basic humanity when talking about someone who lost his life — especially from an elected official. Mississippi deserves better.”
Earlier that day, theGrio asked Colom about Nolan Wells grand jury decision. The Democratic Senate candidate stressed the need for the district attorney and law enforcement in Jackson County to be transparent about the investigation and provide more information about its findings with Nolan’s family and the public.
“At some point there was a breakdown in trust between the family and law enforcement, and that distrust spread to the broader community. And the only way to combat that trust is transparency,” said Colom.
The 43-year-old prosecutor also extended his condolences to the parents of Nolan, Elmore and Christine Wells-Wonsley, telling theGrio that his “heart goes out to Nolan Wells’ family,” adding, “It had to be a tough day.”
Colom explained that under Mississippi law, after six months, authorities will have greater “discretion” in releasing information.
“I think they should release as much as they legally can as far as what witnesses said. Of course, protecting the privacy of those witnesses [and] what forensic evidence indicated,” he urged.
During the Grio’s conversation with Colom, the Democrat slammed his Republican opponent, accusing Senator Hyde-Smith and President Donald Trump of breaking their promises to lower prices for Mississippians. Instead, he said, the president’s war in Iran has driven up gas prices in a state where residents rely on driving due to poor public transportation.
He also accused Hyde-Smith and Trump of being corrupt politicians.
“The president’s only focused on making money for himself and his family. Our junior senator, she’s not only allowing that corruption, she’s partaking in it,” said Colom, referencing Hyde-Smith’s campaign contributions from fertilizer and AI companies while not taking action to combat how the industries are hurting communities in Mississippi.
Colom told theGrio, “We’re getting betrayed, and Mississippians are waking up, and they want a fighter that’s going to actually make their life better.”
