Corey Lewandowski, Donald Trump’s campaign manager, was arrested and charged with simple battery after he turned himself in at the Jupiter (Florida) Police Department. He was released with a notice to appear at the Palm Beach County Circuit Court on May 4th.
The incident occurred on March 8th after a press conference held at Trump National. Former Brietbart reporter Michelle Fields accused Lewandowski of grabbing her arm and pulling her back causing her to almost lose her balance. This occurs as she walked alongside Donald Trump to ask him a question.
Simple battery, a misdemeanor in the first degree under Florida law, carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison or a fine of $1000.
Below is the surveillance video released by the police.
In the video it appears to me that Lewandowski grabs Fields by the arm and pulled her back.
Below is a copy of the police report released by the Jupiter Police Department.
The surveillance video appears to corroborates her statement, as well as, the eyewitness testimony of Ben Terris of the Washington Post. Whether this constitutes simple battery will be up to the court.
Fields tweeted out a picture of bruises on her arm two days after the alleged incident.
I guess these just magically appeared on me @CLewandowski_ @realDonaldTrump. So weird. pic.twitter.com/oD8c4D7tw3
— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) March 10, 2016
Lewandowski originally claimed the incident never took place.
@MichelleFields you are totally delusional. I never touched you. As a matter of fact, I have never even met you.
— Corey R. Lewandowski (@CLewandowski_) March 11, 2016
The Trump campaign released a statement insisting that he was innocent, and stated that he was not arrested which the Juniper Police Department said was not the case.
Mr. Lewandowski was issued a Notice to Appear and given a court date. He was not arrested. Mr. Lewandowski is absolutely innocent of this charge. He will enter a plea of not guilty and looks forward to his day in court. He is completely confident that he will be exonerated.
Jake Tapper of CNN tweeted information that he received from the police.
Jupiter Police tell CNN that Lewandowski was arrested this morning after turning himself in on the misdemeanor charge of simple battery.
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) March 29, 2016
Trump took to Twitter to defend his campaign manager.
Wow, Corey Lewandowski, my campaign manager and a very decent man, was just charged with assaulting a reporter. Look at tapes-nothing there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
Actually looking at the tapes is what led the police to file charges, it is pretty evident he physically grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
This was the reporters statement- when she found out there was tape from my facility, she changed her tune. pic.twitter.com/N5815RS1At
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
The video actually appears corroborates her statement. Also she said that she “almost” fell, not that she actually fell. This statement was also corroborated by Ben Terris.
Trump then tries to say she touched him.
Victory press conference was over.
Why is she allowed to grab me and shout questions? Can I press charges? pic.twitter.com/qbW2RjkINX— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
If you watch the video it doesn’t appear contact was made by Fields. He instead was pulling something out of his pocket not pulling his arm back. Never fear Trump finds a picture that shows a different angle.
Why is this reporter touching me as I leave news conference? What is in her hand?? pic.twitter.com/HQB8dl0fhn
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
She probably brushed his arm or was trying to get his attention, it certainly wasn’t an aggressive tug so he’s comparing apples and oranges. Anyway is he really complaining about this? What was in her hand? A pen? That’s what it looks like to me.
The defense I’ve seen for Lewandowski is three-fold:
- He didn’t pull her down, it wasn’t that bad – that’s why the charge is simple battery, not felony assault.
- She changed her story – No actually she didn’t.
- He was just doing his job. – How so? I’ve never seen a campaign manager physically grab a reporter like that.
- This shouldn’t be criminalized – your problem is with Florida law. The police saw fit to charge him, but a court will determine whether this was a criminal act.
Ultimately I’ve even seen Fields blamed for this incident. What is missing is any statement of responsibility. Do Trump supporters believe in personal responsibility or not? Unless I’m not to believe my eyes Lewandowski did grab Michelle Fields and lied when he denied it happened. The only person Lewandowski should blame for his current predicament is himself.He should simply keep his hands to himself, something he should have learned in Kindergarten. Was it really too much to admit the mistake and apologize? As far as the Trump campaign’s commitment to stand by their man, I’ve seen campaign staffers fired for much, much less.
