Media Groups File Ethics Complaint After Gianforte Allegedly Body Slams Reporter

Four media groups have asked the Office of Congressional Ethics to look into the case involving Rep.-elect Greg Gianforte and a member of the media he allegedly assaulted.

According to The Hill, The Society of Professional Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, Free Press Action Fund, and PEN America would like to know if Gianforte broke House rules when he purportedly body slammed a reporter from The Guardian the night before he won a special election last week.

Gianforte's explanation of the incident seemed to contradict the reporter's version and also what a Fox News crew said they witnessed from a few feet away in the same room.

Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault.

"Based on past precedent, physical assaults by members of Congress clearly do not reflect 'creditably' on the House," the complaint reads, according to The Hill.

"Further, we would submit that Rep. Gianforte's assault of reporter Ben Jacobs is even more troubling as a matter of law, House rules and, indeed, democratic norms, given that the 'body slam' came in response to a question by Jacobs to Gianforte on a matter clearly in the public interest."

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