Republican congressman-elect Greg Gianforte was spared jail time this week after pleading guilty to assaulting a reporter on the eve of the Montana May 25 special election.
The incoming congressman was instead fined $385 and sentenced to 40 hours of community service and at least 20 hours of anger management therapy for an incident that saw him roughing up Guardian journalist Ben Jacobs.
“This decision should remind all those in positions of authority that a free press, like freedom of speech, is one of the building blocks of American democracy, established under the First Amendment,” Guardian U.S. editor Lee Glendinning said Monday in a statement made available to the Washington Examiner.
He added, “The Guardian thanks our colleagues across the whole media spectrum, whether liberal or conservative, for their solidarity and support for Ben Jacobs over the last few weeks. We will continue to pose tough questions on behalf of our readers.”
Gianforte pleaded guilty recently during a highly publicized hearing.
“Although it was not my intention to hurt him, I understand Ben was injured,” the GOP politician said.
Jacobs, for his part, told the court about the altercation with the congressman-elect, saying, “I asked Mr. Gianforte a question in the same manner I have asked questions of hundreds of politicians: congressmen, senators and even the man who is now our president.”
He added, “Mr. Gianforte’s response was to slam me to the floor and start punching me. He injured my elbow, broke my glasses and thrust me into a national spotlight I did not seek or desire.”
Judge Rick West reportedly considered giving the Republican congressman a sentence involving some form of jail time, but ultimately decided against it and settled instead on the fine, community service and anger management.
“You accepted responsibility. You apologized,” West said.
Gianforte issued a mea culpa last week in a letter addressed to Jacobs.
“I made a mistake and humbly ask for your forgiveness,” he said in a letter to the Guardian reporter, adding his “physical response” to the reporter’s “legitimate question was unprofessional, unacceptable, and unlawful.”
Gianforte also announced he would pay $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Members of the press wasted no time after the May 25 altercation blaming President Trump for the incident. The president, critics have argued, has encouraged an environment where it’s not only OK to harass reporters but where physical confrontations may even be acceptable under certain circumstances.