Representative-elect Greg Gianforte will plead guilty for assaulting Guardian writer Ben Jacobs on the eve of the special election. According to eyewitnesses, Gianforte "body slammed" the reporter after being asked a question about the CBO score on the proposed healthcare bill. After initially denying the incident, Gianforte eventually apologized to Jacobs.
Despite the assault and the subsequent pulled endorsements from the state's newspapers, Gianforte was still elected by nearly 20,000 votes over Democrat Rob Quist. The seat was formerly held by Republican Ryan Zinke, who was tabbed by President Trump to be the new United States Secretary of the Interior.
Yesterday, it was announced that Gianforte was going to enter a plea in the assault case. He was cited for misdemeanor assault.
BREAKING: Prosecutor says Montana congressional race winner Greg Gianforte will plead guilty to assaulting reporter.
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 9, 2017
Gianforte also announced that he will donate $50,000 to Committee to Protect Journalists. In exchange for the donation, Jacobs said that he would not file a civil claim against Gianforte.
Gianforte is still expected to be sworn into Congress later in June.
