Man arrested at Trump rally for storming press area

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Police said Saturday that a man faces misdemeanor charges after he stormed into the press area at Donald Trump's rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, before being surrounded by officers and eventually subdued with a Taser while the former president was delivering a speech at the campaign rally.

Friday's incident came just moments after Trump criticized major media outlets for what he saw as unfavorable coverage and dismissed CNN as subservient for Thursday's interview with his Democratic rival Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz.

It was not immediately clear what the man's motive was or whether he was a Trump supporter or critic.

The man managed to climb over a barrier surrounding the media area and began climbing the back of a platform where television reporters and cameras were stationed, according to a video of the incident posted on social media by a CBS News reporter. People near him tried to pull him off the platform, but he was quickly assisted by police and sheriff's deputies.

The crowd cheered as a squad of police led the man away, prompting Trump to ask, “Is there anywhere more fun than a Trump rally?”

Johnstown Police Chief Richard M. Pritchard confirmed to the Associated Press on Saturday that the man was arrested and released and will be formally arraigned next week. Pritchard said the man, whose identity will be disclosed at arraignment, will face misdemeanor charges in municipal court for allegedly disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and disrupting a public assembly.

Pritchard, who was not directly involved in the arrest, declined to speculate about the man's motives.

Harsh criticism of the media is a staple of Trump's speeches at campaign rallies, and his supporters often respond by turning toward the press area and booing; some show their dislike toward journalists with the middle finger.

Just before the man entered the media area, Trump repeated his famous claim that the media is a collective “enemy of the people.” It is not clear from the video of the incident what the man was shouting as he climbed over the barriers or as he was subdued and arrested.

Trump's campaign team tried to distance the former president from the man and his actions by suggesting that he was an opponent of Trump.

“Witnesses, including some in the press corps, described a madman yelling profanities at President Trump,” said senior campaign adviser Danielle Alvarez. “His aggression was directed at the president and at the stage as he entered the press area.”

Alvarez did not name the witnesses or elaborate on what the man might have shouted. Alvarez added that the campaign appreciates the response of local law enforcement and U.S. intelligence for their quick action.

Shortly after the incident, police handcuffed another man in the crowd and escorted him out of the arena. It was not immediately clear whether that arrest was related to the initial altercation.

The incident came amid heightened security at Trump's rallies after a gunman shot him, grazing his ear, at an outdoor rally in nearby Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. Since the shooting, security at political events has been significantly tightened.

A Secret Service spokesman referred questions to local authorities.