During a Donald Trump rally at Radford University, Virginia, on Monday, a violent scuffle broke out between a reporter and a Secret Service agent who was protecting Donald Trump.
According to video clips shot by Independent Journal Review reporter Joe Perticone, a reporter got into an argument with a Secret Service agent, saying “[expleteve] you” to the agents face. Then the scuffle became physical, although what exactly happened isn’t recorded.
Here’s moments prior. The reporter says “f*ck you” — that’s when it got physical pic.twitter.com/h9K2wIbEWQ
— Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) February 29, 2016
This is how reporters are treated at Trump rallies pic.twitter.com/hMxuEoKVeG
— Gabby Morrongiello (@gabriellahope_) February 29, 2016
Another clip shows the reporter lying on his back on the ground, kicking at the Secret Service agent.
In a later clip provided by CBS reporter Jacqueline Alemany, the reporter is seen placing his hand on the Secret Service agent’s throat, apparently demonstrating what the Secret Service agent had to allegedly done to him earlier.
Reporter at Trump Rally accuses SS agent of choking him. pic.twitter.com/Q4oigVt3qf
— Jacqueline Alemany (@JaxAlemany) February 29, 2016
The reporter involved in the scuffle, later identified as Time photographer Chris Morris, said he won’t be pressing charges against the Secret Service agent, Politico reports.
Time photographer Chris Morris tells @Acosta @KristenhCNN he was assaulted first, he never hit the agent, & won’t press charges
— Noah Gray CNN (@NoahGrayCNN) February 29, 2016
A Trump campaign spokesperson has confirmed that the person in the video is a Secret Service agent, and has said to direct all other questions to law enforcement.
“There was an incident involving a photographer and a USSS agent at today’s Radford University Trump rally. We are not aware of all details surrounding the incident and all future inquiries should be directed to local law enforcement,” spokeswoman Hope Hicks told Politico in a statement.
(H/T – IJ Review)
