A man who was attending a rally for former President Donald Trump in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Friday now faces misdemeanor charges after he forced his way into the press area and was tased by police and then arrested.
The incident occurred while Trump was speaking to the crowd and just after he slammed the press as biased toward his opponent Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The man somehow got by the barrier ringing the media area and climbed up a riser where reporters and cameras were located.
Other rallygoers began to pull him down off the riser and police then moved in to subdue him with a Taser.
He was arrested and later released. He will face misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disrupting a public assembly.
After he was led away, Trump said, “Is there anywhere that’s more fun to be than a Trump rally?”
The man's identity will be released when the formal charges are filed next week.
It was not clear whether the man was a supporter of Trump or a critic who wanted to cause harm.
The Trump campaign seemed to want to distance themselves from the man.
“Witnesses, including some in the press corps, described a crazed individual shouting expletives at President Trump,” campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez said. “His aggression was focused on the president and towards the stage as he entered the press area.”
Alvarez also said the campaign appreciated the quick action of police and the Secret Service.
Another man at the rally was also handcuffed and led out, but it was not clear whether this man was related to the other incident with the media area.
Security at Trump's rallies has been heightened since July 13 when he was shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump was also advised to consider not having more large outdoor rallies. The rally in Johnstown was held inside a large arena.
