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| Greg Gianforte sentenced to community service for assaulting Guardian reporter | Greg Gianforte sentenced to community service for assaulting Guardian reporter |
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| Congressman-elect Greg Gianforte was sentenced to community service, a $385 fine and 20 hours of sessions for anger management after pleading guilty to assaulting Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs on the eve of his election. | |
| In a courtroom packed with journalists and spectators in Bozeman, Montana, Gianforte pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault, saying, “Although it was not my intention to hurt him, I understand Ben was injured.” | In a courtroom packed with journalists and spectators in Bozeman, Montana, Gianforte pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault, saying, “Although it was not my intention to hurt him, I understand Ben was injured.” |
| After judge Rick West repeatedly asked Gianforte whether he believed he caused injury to Jacobs, the congressman-elect said he did. West initially considered sentencing Gianforte to four days behind bars, but ultimately said he did not want the congressman-elect to take up space in jail and instead ordered him to complete 40 hours of community service. | After judge Rick West repeatedly asked Gianforte whether he believed he caused injury to Jacobs, the congressman-elect said he did. West initially considered sentencing Gianforte to four days behind bars, but ultimately said he did not want the congressman-elect to take up space in jail and instead ordered him to complete 40 hours of community service. |
| In his statement to the court, Jacobs recounted the violent encounter and aftermath: “I asked Mr Gianforte a question in the same manner I have asked questions of hundreds of politicians: congressmen, senators and even the man who is now our president. Mr Gianforte’s response was to slam me to the floor and start punching me. He injured my elbow, broke my glasses and thrust me into a national spotlight I did not seek or desire.” | In his statement to the court, Jacobs recounted the violent encounter and aftermath: “I asked Mr Gianforte a question in the same manner I have asked questions of hundreds of politicians: congressmen, senators and even the man who is now our president. Mr Gianforte’s response was to slam me to the floor and start punching me. He injured my elbow, broke my glasses and thrust me into a national spotlight I did not seek or desire.” |
| Gianforte arrived to court with his wife Susan earlier Monday morning and rushed past photographers and reporters, ignoring their questions. | Gianforte arrived to court with his wife Susan earlier Monday morning and rushed past photographers and reporters, ignoring their questions. |
| The sentencing comes a week after Gianforte reached a settlement with Jacobs in which the Republican tech millionaire apologised to the reporter and agreed to pay $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalism. | The sentencing comes a week after Gianforte reached a settlement with Jacobs in which the Republican tech millionaire apologised to the reporter and agreed to pay $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalism. |
| In a letter to Jacobs, Gianforte wrote his “physical response” to the Guardian reporter’s “legitimate question was unprofessional, unacceptable, and unlawful”. | In a letter to Jacobs, Gianforte wrote his “physical response” to the Guardian reporter’s “legitimate question was unprofessional, unacceptable, and unlawful”. |
| “I made a mistake and humbly ask for your forgiveness,” he added. | “I made a mistake and humbly ask for your forgiveness,” he added. |
| Gianforte was charged with assault just hours before voting began in the 25 May special election to fill Montana’s sole House of Representatives seat, which was vacated by Ryan Zinke after he was appointed president Donald Trump’s secretary of the interior. | Gianforte was charged with assault just hours before voting began in the 25 May special election to fill Montana’s sole House of Representatives seat, which was vacated by Ryan Zinke after he was appointed president Donald Trump’s secretary of the interior. |
| When Jacobs approached the then-candidate at his campaign headquarters in Bozeman to ask a question about the Republican health care bill, Gianforte reacted by throwing the reporter to the ground and punching him. | When Jacobs approached the then-candidate at his campaign headquarters in Bozeman to ask a question about the Republican health care bill, Gianforte reacted by throwing the reporter to the ground and punching him. |
| Jacobs captured audio of the altercation, and his account was corroborated by a team of Fox News reporters who were in the room. Jacobs’ glasses were broken during the assault. | Jacobs captured audio of the altercation, and his account was corroborated by a team of Fox News reporters who were in the room. Jacobs’ glasses were broken during the assault. |
| “Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him,” Fox News reporter Alicia Alcuna wrote in a first-hand account. “Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the reporter.” | “Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him,” Fox News reporter Alicia Alcuna wrote in a first-hand account. “Faith, Keith and I watched in disbelief as Gianforte then began punching the reporter.” |
| Gianforte was charged later that night, and Montana’s three largest newspapers quickly withdrew their endorsements of the Republicas. However, the Republican was elected the following day, drawing just over 50% of the vote against Democrat and folk-singer Rob Quist. More than two-thirds of the votes had been cast by mail before the attack on Jacobs occurred. | Gianforte was charged later that night, and Montana’s three largest newspapers quickly withdrew their endorsements of the Republicas. However, the Republican was elected the following day, drawing just over 50% of the vote against Democrat and folk-singer Rob Quist. More than two-thirds of the votes had been cast by mail before the attack on Jacobs occurred. |
| The Gianforte campaign initially blamed Jacobs for the incident, issuing a statement that falsely claimed the reporter “grabbed Greg’s wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground”. | The Gianforte campaign initially blamed Jacobs for the incident, issuing a statement that falsely claimed the reporter “grabbed Greg’s wrist, and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground”. |
| “It’s unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ,” campaign spokesman Shane Scanlon said in the statement. | “It’s unfortunate that this aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist created this scene at our campaign volunteer BBQ,” campaign spokesman Shane Scanlon said in the statement. |
| Though Gianforte apologized for his actions at his election night victory party, the congressman-elect did not address his campaign’s false statement about the incident until reaching last week’s civil settlement. | Though Gianforte apologized for his actions at his election night victory party, the congressman-elect did not address his campaign’s false statement about the incident until reaching last week’s civil settlement. |
| “Notwithstanding anyone’s statements to the contrary, you did not initiate any physical contact with me, and I had no right to assault you,” he wrote in the letter. “I am sorry for what I did and the unwanted notoriety this created for you.” | |
| In court, Jacobs noted that Gianforte “lied in a defamatory public statement”, but said he now expects Gianforte to be a “strong advocate for a free press and for the first amendment” in Congress. He said he hopes he gets an opportunity to interview him. | |
| The reporter also noted that the incident has “had national ramifications on our politics and our culture,” adding, “While I have no doubt that actions like these were an aberration for Congressman-elect Gianforte personally, I worry that, in the context of our political debate, they have become increasingly common. In recent years, our discourse has grown increasingly rancorous and increasingly vile. This needs to stop.” | The reporter also noted that the incident has “had national ramifications on our politics and our culture,” adding, “While I have no doubt that actions like these were an aberration for Congressman-elect Gianforte personally, I worry that, in the context of our political debate, they have become increasingly common. In recent years, our discourse has grown increasingly rancorous and increasingly vile. This needs to stop.” |
| Jacobs continued: “There will always be fundamental political disagreements in our society. However, these need not become personal and certainly should never become violent. I hope this court’s decision can send a strong message about the necessity of civil discourse and the important role of the free press and to help heal our political system.” | Jacobs continued: “There will always be fundamental political disagreements in our society. However, these need not become personal and certainly should never become violent. I hope this court’s decision can send a strong message about the necessity of civil discourse and the important role of the free press and to help heal our political system.” |
| At the end of the hearing, Gianforte addressed Jacobs directly, saying: “I just want to say I’m sorry, and if and when you’re ready, I look forward to sitting down with you.” | |
| Guardian US editor Lee Glendinning said in a statement: “This decision should remind all those in positions of authority that a free press, like freedom of speech, is one of the building blocks of American democracy, established under the first amendment. The Guardian thanks our colleagues across the whole media spectrum, whether liberal or conservative, for their solidarity and support for Ben Jacobs over the last few weeks. We will continue to pose tough questions on behalf of our readers.” | Guardian US editor Lee Glendinning said in a statement: “This decision should remind all those in positions of authority that a free press, like freedom of speech, is one of the building blocks of American democracy, established under the first amendment. The Guardian thanks our colleagues across the whole media spectrum, whether liberal or conservative, for their solidarity and support for Ben Jacobs over the last few weeks. We will continue to pose tough questions on behalf of our readers.” |
| While Monday’s proceedings bring a close to the criminal case, Gianforte could still face discipline in Congress. On 2 June, a coalition of press freedom organizations filed a complaint with congressional ethics officials asking that Gianforte be disciplined for the assault. | While Monday’s proceedings bring a close to the criminal case, Gianforte could still face discipline in Congress. On 2 June, a coalition of press freedom organizations filed a complaint with congressional ethics officials asking that Gianforte be disciplined for the assault. |