Rep. Michael Grimm, the Staten Island Republican, has released a statement about tonight’s incident in the Capitol in which he reportedly told a NY1 reporter, among other things: “I’ll break you in half. Like a boy.” Here’s the statement, according to NY1:
I was extremely annoyed because I was doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests. The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic. I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect, especially when I go out of my way to do that reporter a favor. I doubt that I am the first Member of Congress to tell off a reporter, and I am sure I won’t be the last.
NY1 has posted a better-quality video of the exchange, with helpful subtitles. The station is demanding an apology from Grimm.
