Watch the video:
Rep. Michael Grimm Physically Threatens NY1 ReporterThe incident happened after Rep. Grimm was asked to respond to allegations about his campaign corruption case in a post-sotu ...
And here's the transcript, courtesy of NY1:
Grimm: "Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I'll throw you off this f-----g balcony."
Scotto: "Why? I just wanted to ask you..."
[[cross talk]]
Grimm: "If you ever do that to me again..."
Scotto: "Why? Why? It's a valid question." [[cross talk]]
Grimm: "No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy."
Later, Congressman Grimm issued a statement, trying to explain what happened:
"I was extremely annoyed because I was doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview in lieu of several other requests...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 certain I won't be the last."
In turn, NY1 Political Director Bob Hardt released a statement of his own:
"It is extremely disturbing when anyone threatens one of our reporters - let alone a U.S. Congressman. The NY1 family is certainly alarmed and disappointed by the behavior of Representative Grimm and demands a full apology from him. This behavior is unacceptable."
Reporting on the episode for Mother Jones magazine, reporter Ben Dreyfuss offered this tongue-in-cheek advice for Grimm:
1) Don't threaten reporters with physical violence.
2) If you do threaten reporters with physical violence, don't do it when the reporters' camera crew is still filming B roll. You'll look pretty unhinged!
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