Florida representative almost caught in coup

The embattled representative from the state of Florida, Alan Grayson found himself on the verge of being caught in a coup in Niger earlier this week.

Alan Grayson, the often outspoken Democratic Representative from Florida was on a trip to Niger earlier this week. While on his trip there was a military coup that Grayson almost found himself caught up in. According to a Grayson's press secretary, Todd Jurkowski, "He heard the gunshots. They were literally in the building next door." Grayson was serving as part of a congressional delegation that was focused on science, technology and humanitarian relief. When the fighting and gun fire broke out Grayson was taken to the home of the United States Ambassador to Niger where he stayed with armored protection. As of Thursday night it was announced that the constitution of Niger had been suspended. Grayson subsequently traveled to the neighboring country of Burkina Faso and was scheduled to return to the United States on Friday.