At a rally for Republican 2024 presidential candidate Donald Trump in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Friday, a man was surrounded by security guards after he reportedly tried to enter the media area, the Associated Press reported.
According to video posted on social media, multiple sheriff's deputies stopped the man as he tried to climb over a barrier marking the press area, which was filled with television reporters, cameramen and equipment. Footage shows several people in the press area running to the side of the area and pointing their cellphones and cameras at the altercation.
I thought I'd give it a try.
Trump rally in Johnstown, PennsylvaniaTimcast Scott Pressler Follow pic.twitter.com/E3IUN0ObHa
— American Woman (@massimo_dane) August 30, 2024
Authorities dragged the man to the ground moments after he tried to climb up the side of the media stairs, video shows, and law enforcement officers eventually used a Taser to subdue the man. According to He told the Associated Press that the crowd erupted in cheers and applause as police dragged the man away.
Video of the incident: Press box security grabbed him first, then police apprehended him. pic.twitter.com/Xdw1CZ9dE0
— Taurean Small (@taureansmall) August 30, 2024
Trump continued: talk The ensuing clashes were seen on video, and the crowd's uproar over the incident prompted Trump to say, “What better place to be than a Trump rally?”, according to the Associated Press.
Police handcuffed another man in the crowd shortly after stopping the first man, but it was unclear whether his arrest was related to the first, the outlet reported. (RELATED: 'We want more babies!': Donald Trump promises free IVF if he wins)
The incident came after the U.S. Secret Service stepped up security for Trump following an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Trump's rally in Johnstown was held indoors; Trump's first outdoor rally since the assassination attempt was behind bulletproof glass, but Trump briefly retreated from it after a woman fainted during an Aug. 21 speech in North Carolina.
Former U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned 10 days after President Trump was shot, after she initially refused to testify before the House Oversight Committee about security failures leading up to the assassination attempt, leading to a subpoena.
A 66-year-old child sex offender from Benson, Arizona, was arrested on August 22 after allegedly threatening to kill President Trump ahead of a border event in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
