International FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017 15

GOP candidate charged for assault on reporter BOZEMAN: The Republican candidate in the nationally- watched election for Montana’s sole congressional seat has been charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly grabbing a reporter by the neck and throwing him to the ground. Voters decide in the special election whether Republican or Democrat Rob Quist will fill the US House seat left vacant when Ryan Zinke resigned to join President ’s Cabinet as secretary of the Interior Department. Gianforte, who has tried to align him- self with Trump, defended himself as the criminal charge was announced Wednesday, saying the reporter was being aggressive and grabbed him by the wrist in their exchange at his campaign office. Quist has declined to comment on the charge. The assault charge is a last-minute curveball in Thursday’s race, which was partly seen as a referendum on Trump’s presi- dency. The majority of voters were expected to have already cast ballots through early voting, and it was unclear how much of an effect the assault charge would have on the election results. Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin made the announcement shortly before midnight Wednesday in a written statement, about six hours after the attack on reporter Ben Jacobs of . Gianforte would face a maximum $500 fine or 6 months in jail if convicted. The statement added that Jacobs’ injuries did not meet the legal definition of felony assault.

Astonishment Gianforte was in a private office preparing for an inter- view with when Jacobs came in without permis- sion, campaign spokesman Shane Scanlon said. The Fox News crew watched in astonishment as, after Jacobs pressed him on the GOP health care bill, “Gianforte grabbed Jacobs by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the ground behind him,” Fox News reporter Alicia Acuna wrote in an article. She added that Gianforte then BRASILIA: A protester stands in front of a line of riot police during the protest “Occupy Brasilia” against the labor and began to punch Jacobs. social security reforms and the government of President Michel Temer. — AFP In an audio recording posted by The Guardian, the reporter asks the congressional candidate about the GOP’s health care bill, which was just evaluated hours earlier by Brazil president revokes order the Congressional Budget Office. “We’ll talk to you about that later,” Gianforte says on the recording, referring deploying troops in Brasilia Jacobs to a spokesman. When Jacobs says that there won’t be time, Gianforte says “Just-”and there is a crashing sound. Gianforte yells, “The last guy who came here did Two ministries set on fire, 49 people injured the same thing,” and a shaken-sounded Jacobs tells the candidate he just body-slammed him. “Get the hell out of BRASILIA: President Michel Temer yes- Some government agencies were Politically isolated here,” Gianforte says. terday revoked an order to deploy the evacuated because of the violence, the “This decree was never used in this The Gianforte campaign Wednesday night released a military in Brazil’s capital in the wake of president’s office said. In a brief national context to protect an administration statement blaming the incident on Jacobs. It contends he clashes between police and protesters address during the unrest, Defense that is politically isolated,” said Newton “aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg’s face and began demanding his resignation. Two min- Minister Raul Jungmann said troops de Oliveira, a professor and security spe- asking badgering questions” before being asked to leave. istries were set on fire and 49 people were being sent to guard the presiden- cialist at Mackenzie University in Rio. Gianforte asked Jacobs to lower a phone that was being were injured during Wednesday’s clash- tial palace and other federal buildings. After the announcement that troops used as an audio recorder, then tried to grab it, the cam- es and Temer ordered 1,500 troops to The weeklong deployment was author- were taking up positions in the capital, paign said in a statement. Jacobs then grabbed Gianforte’s restore order. But yesterday he revoked ized by a presidential decree that left some senior officials began distancing wrist and both fell to the ground, Scanlon said. the order in a decree published in the open the possibility that soldiers could themselves from the decision. Official Diary that said violence had be used more widely in Brasilia. “If this government cannot hold itself Claims questioned ceased and order had been restored. Late Wednesday, Temer’s office up, the armed forces will not hold up The 45-second recording does not contain a request Tens of thousands of demonstrators issued a statement defending the order this government,” said Sen Renan from Gianforte that Jacobs lower his phone. Acuna, the Fox were in the streets of Brasilia on as necessary because the violence put Calheiros, who is the whip for Temer’s News reporter, wrote that “at no point did any of us who Wednesday to demand Temer resign the lives and safety of public servants at party in the upper house but has witnessed this assault see Jacobs show any form of physi- amid allegations he approved of paying risk. It said the president had deter- increasingly challenged the president. cal aggression toward Gianforte.” The sheriff’s office said hush money to a jailed former lawmak- mined that using the country’s National Sen Romero Juca, a Temer ally, defend- Gianforte has until June 7 to appear in court on the charge. er. What began as small scuffles Force, an elite police entity, would not ed the president’s decision. “President Jacobs told ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Thursday between police and protesters who have been sufficient. “When order is re- Temer brought in the armed forces that he never touched Gianforte. tried to jump a cordon mushroomed established, the decree will be revoked,” because a bunch of criminals were set- He said of the politician’s account “The only thing that is into a series of confrontations in which the statement said. “The president of ting ministries on fire,” he said. With factually correct ... is my name and place of employment.” officers fired tear gas and pepper spray the republic underscores that he will not Brazil deeply divided and a political cri- Gianforte, a wealthy businessman, lost a race against to contain the crowd. A fire broke out in hesitate to exercise the authority given sis deepening, sessions in both houses Montana’s Democratic governor in November while Trump the Ministry of Agriculture, and protest- to his office whenever it is necessary.” of Congress became chaotic as lawmak- won the state by 20 points. In the congressional race, ers broke windows and doors at other Temer is struggling to retain power ers shouted one another down. Gianforte has been boosted by visits from Vice President ministries. after the release of a recording that While Congress debated, 35,000 peo- Mike Pence and Donald Trump, Jr. appears to capture him approving hush ple were marching toward the legisla- Hours before Wednesday’s assault, the Gianforte cam- Unusual procedures money for a convicted former lawmaker. tive building, shouting “Out with paign sent out a last-minute fundraising appeal to its sup- Local media captured video images of Brazil’s top court is investigating him for Temer!” and carrying signs calling for an porters, saying the outcome “will determine whether we military police firing pistols into the air. alleged obstruction of justice and involve- immediate direct presidential election. If pass Donald Trump’s America First agenda or if the fake The Secretariat of Public Security issued ment in passive corruption. The president Temer should resign, Brazil’s constitu- news media and the national Democrats will win, keeping a statement late Wednesday saying it has denied wrongdoing and insists he will tion says Congress would elect the next Obama’s reckless policies in place.” Democrats were hop- would investigate the weapons firing, not resign. His unusual decision to call in president, who would hold power for ing an upset would send a message to the GOP that saying that “this procedure is not used in the military could heighten anger against the rest of his term, which runs to the Trump’s souring approval ratings could damage their polit- protests.” Earlier, it said one person had the government if it is seen as the last end of 2018. But many Brazilians, dis- ical fortunes even in deep red states. — AP been injured by a bullet but give no gasp of a president trying to maintain gusted with the political class, want to information on who fired the shot. power with the use of force. vote themselves. — AP