A photographer from Time magazine was roughed up by a Secret Service agent as the press rushed to film protesters at a Donald Trump rally in Virginia today.
“There was an incident involving a photographer and a [U.S. Secret Service] agent at today’s Radford University Trump rally,” according to a written statement from the Trump campaign. “We are not aware of all details surrounding the incident and all future inquiries should be directed to local law enforcement.”
The photographer, Chris Morris, was not arrested and told ABC News the agent put his hands on him first.
In a video of the incident, posted to Twitter, the Secret Service agent can be seen slamming Morris to the ground.
Trump Leads in 2 Super Tuesday States But Cruz Holds Texas, Polls Find
Donald Trump Hits 49 Percent Support in New National Poll
Another video posted on Twitter appeared to show Morris confronting the agent moments before the incident took place.
Morris spoke briefly to reporters after the incident.
“I stepped 18 inches out of the pen and he grabbed me by the neck and started choking me, then he slammed me to the ground,” he said.
Trump received a Secret Service detail back in November, after a request for protection was approved by the Department of Homeland Security.
In a statement, the Secret Service said that it is working with local authorities to investigate the incident.
“The Secret Service is aware of an incident involving an employee of the Secret Service that occurred earlier today in Radford,” Robert Hoback, public information officer at U.S. Secret Service, told ABC News. ”
At this time, our local field office is working with their law enforcement partners to determine the exact circumstances that led up to this incident. The Secret Service will provide further details as warranted once additional facts surrounding the situation are known.”
ABC News
UM– USEKE.RW
