What is it with politicians from the New York and New Jersey area?
First N.J. Gov. Chris Christie and “Bridgegate” and now Congressman Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., threatened to throw reporter Michael Scotto off a balcony.
The entire incident was caught on video after the State of the Union address inside the halls of Congress. While conducting the interview, NY1 reporter Scotto wanted to ask Grimm a question that was considered by the congressman to be off topic. Grimm is currently facing an investigation for campaign finance violation and was not in the mood to answer any questions regarding the issue. After Grimm walked away the reporter went on with the segment stating that the congressman did not want to answer any questions related to the investigation. Grimm returned back to the reporter and said in a threatening voice: “Let me be clear to you: You ever do that to me again, I’ll throw you off this f—ing balcony.”
He then went on to say to the startled reporter; “No, no, you’re not man enough, you’re not man enough. I’ll break you in half. Like a boy.”
Being threatened with certain death by a U.S. congressman on camera is something that has never been taped. It shows the level of hostility that many members of Congress are openly showing toward the press. Grimm issued the following statement regarding the incident:
“I was extremely annoyed because I was doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests. The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic. I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect, especially when I go out of my way to do that reporter a favor. I doubt that I am the first member of Congress to tell off a reporter, and I am sure I won’t be the last.”
