In the News

Max Greenwood

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) on Wednesday warned that physical violence against members of the press has become a trend under the Trump administration.

"Physical violence and abuse of media are hallmarks in Trump era. Disgusting. We need to call it out," Connolly wrote on Twitter.

The Virginia Democrat's comment followed reports that Greg Gianforte, the Republican candidate in Montana's special House election, aggressively body slammed reporter Ben Jacobs after he asked a question about the GOP plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare.

In an audio recording of the incident released by Jacobs' employer, The Guardian newspaper, Jacobs can be heard asking Gianforte whether he would support the American Health Care Act. Gianforte declines to answer, and then a scuffle breaks out, ending with Jacobs saying that the candidate had body slammed him and broke his glasses.

Trump himself has maintained an antagonistic relationship with members of the press since taking office, often calling reporters dishonest, accusing them of reporting "fake news" and treating him "unfairly."

As a presidential candidate, Trump would often call out journalists covering his rallies and accuse them of lying for reporting critically on his campaign.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/335062-dem-rep-abuse-violence-against-the-press-hallmarks-in-trump-era