Ever since the election of Donald Trump last November, political tension in the United States has reached an all-time high. After a Republican candidate reportedly attacked a journalist covering his election, Democrats called for immediate action from the GOP.

Republican attack

During the 2016 presidential election, it became commonplace for campaign rallies to get out of hand. Protesters and supporters often engaged in physical violence, peaking during a Donald Trump rally in Chicago that was forced to be shutdown by local authorities. In addition, Trump's war of words with the media has helped create a hostile environment for reporters and journalists who have been viewed as the number one enemy by many on the political right.

Since Trump was sworn into office last January, the tension between conservatives and the media has only gotten worse, as it's played out on the internet, cable news, and at various rallies and town-hall events. As reported by The Hill on May 24, Republican candidate Greg Gianforte allegedly assaulted a journalists from The Guardian for asking about Trump's health care plan.

According to The Hill, Guardian journalists Ben Jacobs was attacked by Greg Gianforte during a campaign event for the upcoming Montana special election. "Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses," Jacobs wrote on his Twitter account Wednesday night.

Other reporters appeared to validate the story, as many were on hand covering the same event.

In response, Greg Gianforte's campaign were on the defensive, accusing Ben Jacobs of "aggressive" behavior" and "aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face." Despite the denial from the campaign, leaked audio contradicts with the official statement.

The audio captures Jacobs asking the Republican candidate about the recent CBO score of Donald Trump's health care plan, which triggered the candidate into a violent rage. "I'm sick and tired of you guys!," Gianforte said, before adding, "the last guy did the same damn thing!" Jacobs could be heard saying that his glasses were broke after being "body-slammed."

Democrats response

Responding to the news, the Democratic National Committee called on Greg Gianforte to drop out of the race due to his actions.

"Greg Gianforte must immediately withdraw his candidacy after his alleged violent assault of an innocent journalist,” a DNC spokesman said. While it's unknown as of press time what the Republicans or Gianforte will do, it doesn't look good for the GOP in Montana.
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