Updated with a statement from the Secret Service, TIME, and additional details.
This is how reporters are treated at Trump rallies pic.twitter.com/hMxuEoKVeG
— Gabby Morrongiello (@gabriellahope_) February 29, 2016
Video out of a Donald Trump rally at Radford University, in southwestern Virginia, shows a reporter pushed to the ground and fighting off a security officer.
The journalist has been identified as Chris Morris, a veteran photographer working for TIME. The altercation took place after Morris tried to get into position to take a photograph of one of the many protesters at the rally.
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
Secret Service agent choke slams reporter pic.twitter.com/jdsHOlylSB
— Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) February 29, 2016
this new angle clearly shows photog getting choke-slammed at Trump rally https://t.co/XxKoeRb8zx pic.twitter.com/t2Rh656hEE
— Sam Biddle (@samfbiddle) February 29, 2016
It is unclear if the officer in question was with the Secret Service or The Donald’s security team. The officer in question is an employee of the Secret Service, according to a statement from the agency. They are working to “determine the exact circumstances that led up to this incident.”
Secret Service statement on the altercation today with a photographer. pic.twitter.com/nRql6nV1tJ
— Olivier Knox (@OKnox) February 29, 2016
Morris told a local news reporter that he “never punched [the officer]” and that only the only time he made any contact was when trying to demonstrate what had happened to a press liaison. “I said ‘he choked me,’ so I put hand on him and that’s when I was arrested.”
Just talked to @time magazine report Chris Morris. He says he was originally arrested but just detained. @ABC13News pic.twitter.com/QknmuAbifG
— Annie Andersen (@Annie_Andersen) February 29, 2016
TIME responded this afternoon, saying they had contact the Secret Service to “express concern” about the agent’s behavior. They also explained the circumstances of the altercation:
Unlike other presidential campaigns, which generally allow reporters and photographers to move around at events, Trump has a strict policy requiring reporters and cameramen to stay inside a gated area, which the candidate often singles out for ridicule during his speeches. The entrance to the penned area is generally monitored by the Secret Service detail, which also screens attendees at his events and personally protects the candidate.
“We are relieved that Chris is feeling OK, and we expect him to be back at work soon,” the magazine said in a statement.
It was hardly the only incident to take place at the event, one of Trump’s last before Virginians head to the polls on Super Tuesday. Multiple protests broke out, some within minutes of each other.
Protest number seven at Trump rally in Radford. More escorted out.
— Dwayne Yancey (@DwayneYancey) February 29, 2016
Pretty sure Trump has kicked more people out of his rally at @radfordu then topics he has actually spoke on #Election2016 #RepublicanParty
— W. Michael Galliher (@_wmgalliher) February 29, 2016
Students chanting “no more hate, no more hate, lets be equal, lets be great!” @WJHL11 pic.twitter.com/rQAPZN92sL
— Curtis McCloud (@CurtisWJHL) February 29, 2016
Rachel Sadon