[Mark was here]

What is the legal definition of “assault”? Isn't it in most states unwanted touching? Can't one be charged for assaulting a police officer for even less than what the Democrat Congressman did?

[KevinB]

What is the legal definition of “assault”? Isn't it in most states unwanted touching?

No, assault if the threat of unwanted touching. Battery is unwanted touching. There can be an assault without a battery, but there is seldomly a battery without an assault.