Thug GOP Congressman Tells Reporter ‘I’ll Throw You Off This F–G Balcony’

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There were three big losers at last night’s State of the Union. One was Tea Party Congressman Tim Huelskamp, whose “spectacularly disingenuous” comments earned him a floor-mopping from MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. Another loser was U.S. Congressman Michael Grimm, from Staten Island. Under investigation for campaign finance abuse, Grimm spoke to a local New York reporter in the House in D.C. last night.

As the interview drew to a close, the NY1 reporter, Michael Scotto, asked him about the allegations.

“Since we have you here, we haven’t had a chance to talk about–” Scotto started to ask.

“I’m not talking about anything that’s off topic. This is only about the President’s speech,” Grimm said gruffly, then walked off-camera.

But then he returned.

While the camera was running, according to news reports, Grimm “physically threatened” Scotto.

“Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I’ll throw you off this f–ing balcony,” Grimm said. “I’ll break you in half. Like a boy.”

 

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Grimm later released a statement — with no apologies:

I was extremely annoyed because I was doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests. The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic. 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 sure I won’t be the last.

MSNBC’s Steve Benen writes:

I see. So if you’re an elected federal lawmaker, you’re feeling a little rushed, you’re under a federal criminal investigation, and a reporter asks for a comment, you’re justified in threatening to kill the journalist.

For those unfamiliar with Grimm’s troubles, the New York Times ran a report in February 2012 on allegations the congressman skirted fundraising limits and accepted envelopes with cash in them in 2010, during his first campaign. The Times also documented Grimm’s business partnership with a fellow former FBI agent who was indicted on racketeering and fraud charges.

In July 2012, a federal grand jury was convened after the FBI’s public corruption unit interviewed several Grimm campaign workers. A law enforcement source told the New York Daily News at the time, “Let’s say, so far, it is a tool to get people’s attention – that we are serious about our questions about the congressman.”

And earlier this month, the FBI arrested a Grimm fundraiser on charges that she illegally funneled more than $10,000 into his campaign.

The congressman doesn’t seem to be handling the pressure well.

So, does this mean New York will get a new Congressman soon?

Oh, and the third loser?

Decorum, respect, civility.

 

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