DHS IG Investigating Secret Service Bodyslam Of Journalist At Trump Rally

Photojournalist Chris Morris is escorted by police during the rally of Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, at Radford University in Radford, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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The Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general has launched an independent investigation into a violent altercation between a Secret Service agent and a photojournalist at a campaign rally for Donald Trump, Politico reported Monday.

Video of the February 29 incident at Radford University in Virginia showed Time photographer Chris Morris being lifted by the throat and thrown to the ground by the agent.

The altercation occurred in the press pen where the Trump campaign requires credentialed journalists to remain during its events. Morris said the agent, who has not been identified, initiated the confrontation after he stepped outside the pen to photograph Black Lives Matter protesters as they were escorted from the rally.

The Secret Service has launched its own investigation into the episode and released a statement saying it was working to “determine the exact circumstances that led up to this incident.”

The DHS’ inspector general serves as a watchdog for the department, working “to ensure integrity and efficiency in government.”

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Notable Replies

  1. One would hope they are investigating it.

  2. The curse of political correctness has certainly run amok if you’re not allowed to bodyslam a journalist at a political rally.

  3. when the critique comes out will points be awarded or deducted for technique? was the reporter let up when he tapped out?

    on a more serious note I gotta say that while I understand providing protection for candidates I have a real problem when the protection agency I pay for starts acting as a personal SS for any candidate…

    the idea of putting reporters in a pen and making the SS enforce it in an open to the public meeting is anathema… if Donnie Dimwit wants to have a private, pay to get into, only for supporters meeting then he can damned well pay for security and keep reporters out… but an ‘open’ ‘newsworthy’ public meeting should not keep the press out or confined…

  4. Once Trump is elected getting body slammed will be the best you can hope for. Getting disappeared is the next phase. Donald “Pinochet” Trump is eager to serve you.

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