Photographer Choke-Slammed At Donald Trump Rally

A Secret Service agent choke-slammed the photojournalist after he stepped out of the press pen during Trump's rally in Virginia, witnesses said.

A photographer for Time magazine was thrown to the ground by a Secret Service agent Monday while covering Donald Trump's rally at Radford University in Virginia.

Secret Service agent choke slams reporter

Another angle showed the photographer clearly being choke-slammed by the agent.

New video clearly shows photographer choke-slammed into ground at Trump rally https://t.co/fQhzqBKmUA

The photographer, Christopher Morris, said the altercation occurred after he stepped outside the press pen.

Time photog Chris Morris tells me how he was grabbed and taken down at Trump rally

"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," Morris told reporters outside the venue.

The Secret Service confirmed that one of its employees was involved in the incident.

Secret Service issues statement on incident with photographer at Trump rally earlier today:

Time said it had expressed concerns to the Secret Service about the "level and nature of the agent's response."

In a response on its website, Time said Morris was "briefly detained" following the encounter, where an agent "grabbed Morris' neck with both hands and threw him into a table and onto the ground."

Referring to videos of the encounter, Time said Morris swore at the agent who tried to move him back into the press pen, after which the agent choke-slammed the veteran White House photographer. Time said video also showed that Morris kicked the agent who was trying to restrain him on the ground and also "briefly put his hand on the agent's neck" in an attempt to demonstrate the chokehold he had experienced.

The statement said:

TIME has contacted the U.S. Secret Service to express concerns about the level and nature of the agent's response. Morris has also expressed remorse for his part in escalating the confrontation. A TIME spokesperson said, "We are relieved that Chris is feeling OK, and we expect him to be back at work soon."

The Trump campaign said there was an incident "involving a photographer and a USSS agent" at the rally but directed inquiries to local law enforcement.

Thank you Virginia! 15,000 amazing supporters! Everyone get out and #VoteTrump tomorrow!

A reporter who witnessed the incident also said Morris was "choke-slammed" when he attempted to exit the press pen.

Gabby Morrongiello, a reporter for the Washington Examiner, told BuzzFeed News:

"I believe he was trying to exit the press pen to get a closer shot of a group of students who were protesting Trump. Yes, he was choke-slammed and that's what landed him on the ground.

He was a credentialed member of the media, although Trump's staff is adamant about keeping reporters in the press pen until after the rally has concluded. I believe that is why he was handled like that."

Trump's rally was also interrupted by several protesters.

Group of protesters banding together at Trump rally

Protesters join hands, shout "No more hate" and are removed from Trump rally in southwest Virginia

Skip to footer