GOP Candidate Greg Gianforte's Assault Charges Have Mike Pence & Republicans In A Tight Spot

Tech mogul Greg Gianforte, the GOP candidate running for Montana's sole congressional seat, was charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly body slamming a reporter Wednesday — the day before the state's contentious special election.

Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs, Gianforte's alleged victim, recorded audio of the incident, which took place inside an office of a building where a campaign volunteer barbecue was being held.

According to KTVQ, Gianforte must appear before a Gallatin County Justice Court judge sometime between now and June 7.

In Jacobs' audio (above), he can be heard asking Gianforte a question about the Republican healthcare plan; Gianforte then tells Jacobs to speak to his spokesman Shane Scanlon before a scuffle ensues.

"I'm sick and tired of you guys!" Gianforte yells amidst the chaos. "Get the hell out of here!"

Jacobs, who reported on Gianforte's ties to U.S. sanctioned Russian companies a month ago, left the encounter with broken glasses. He was later hospitalized and underwent an X-ray on his elbow, according to another Guardian reporter.

A team of Fox News reporters who witnessed the incident backed up Jacobs' account, saying in a statement that Gianforte "grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him" before punching him.

Gianforte's campaign released a statement later Wednesday, saying Jacobs “entered the office without permission, aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg’s face and began asking badgering questions.”

After Jacobs allegedly refused to lower his recorder, “Greg then attempted to grab the phone that was pushed in his face," the statement claims. "Jacobs grabbed Greg’s wrist and spun away from Greg, pushing them both to the ground.”

The statement blamed the incident on “aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist."

Three of Montana's newspapers have withdrawn their endorsements of Gianforte following the alleged assault, according to The Hill.

Vice President Mike Pence had recorded a robocall urging Montana voters to support Gianforte, as Politico reported. 

Neither Pence nor President Donald Trump have commented on the allegations against Gianforte, but House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters Thursday that "there is no time when a physical altercation should occur with the press."