Photo: Alex Brandon Associated Press Police remove a man, center with sunglasses, who had climbed onto the media riser, as Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Johnstown, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Associated Press in Johnstown
Published yesterday at 5:40 p.m.
- United States
Police said Saturday that a man will face misdemeanor charges after he stormed into the press area at a Donald Trump rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The man was quickly surrounded by authorities and eventually subdued with a taser while the former president delivered a campaign speech.
Friday’s incident came moments after Trump criticized mainstream media outlets for their unfavorable coverage of his campaign. He also criticized CNN for being complacent Thursday during an interview with his Democratic rival Kamala Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz.
It was not immediately clear what motivated the man, or whether he was a Trump supporter or opponent.
The man broke through a fence surrounding the media area and began climbing up the back of a riser where television reporters and cameras were stationed, video of the incident posted to social media by a CBS News reporter shows. People near him tried to get him off the riser and were quickly joined by law enforcement.
The crowd cheered as a group of police officers led the man away, prompting the former president to ask tongue-in-cheek if there was anywhere more fun than a Trump rally.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000Johnstown Police Chief Richard M. Pritchard confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that the man had been arrested, released and would be formally charged next week. Pritchard said the man, whose identity will be released when charges are filed, will face misdemeanor charges in municipal court of disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and disrupting a public gathering.
Mr. Pritchard, who was not directly involved in the arrest, declined to speculate on the man's motives.
Fierce criticism of the media is a regular part of Donald Trump’s speeches at rallies, and his supporters often respond by turning to the press section and booing; some raising their middle fingers to show their disgust at reporters.
Moments before the man ventured into the media section, Mr. Trump had resumed his familiar claim that the media was an “enemy of the people.” It is not clear from the video of the incident what the man was yelling as he scaled the barriers or when he was subdued and arrested.
Mr. Trump’s campaign team has tried to distance the former president from the man and his actions, even suggesting that he was an opponent of the Republican candidate.
“Witnesses, including some members of the press, described a crazed individual yelling profanities at President Trump,” said Danielle Alvarez, a senior campaign adviser. “His aggression was focused on the president and toward the stage as he entered the press area.”
Alvarez did not identify the witnesses she cited or explain what the man may have yelled. She added that the campaign appreciates the swift response of local law enforcement officials and the U.S. Secret Service.
Shortly after the incident, police handcuffed another man in the crowd and removed him from the arena. It was not immediately clear whether that detention was related to the initial altercation.
The incident came amid heightened security scrutiny at Donald Trump rallies after a gunman shot him, grazing his ear, at an outdoor rally in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. Security at political events has been significantly increased since the shooting.
A Secret Service spokesman referred questions to local authorities.