Update, Jan. 29, 11:27 a.m. ET: Scotto told reporters said that Rep. Grimm called him this morning to apologize for threatening him last night and that they will be going to lunch.
@repmichaelgrimm called to apologize. He said he "overreacted." I accepted his apology.— Michael Scotto (@mikescotto) January 29, 2014
A routine interview between a television reporter and a congressman after Tuesday night's State of the Union speech in Washington, D.C., turned ugly after the representative physically threatened the journalist for attempting to ask a question about alleged campaign fundraising violations.
Congressman Michael Grimm, a Republican representing Staten Island, had just finished watching President Barack Obama's speech and had granted an interview to Michael Scotto of television news stations NY1. Scotto attempted to ask about a federal investigation into Grimm's 2010 campaign fundraising, including allegations that Grimm's ex-girlfriend made illegal donations through straw donors.
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"No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy," Grimm continued after a series of inaudible exchanges between the two. Video of the confrontation can be found on NY1, along with a full transcript.
Grimm, who previously served in the Marines and as an FBI agent, has refused to back down from his comments. He released a statement on Tuesday night, saying:
I was extremely annoyed because I was doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests. The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic. I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect, especially when I go out of my way to do that reporter a favor. I doubt that I am the first member of Congress to tell off a reporter, and I am sure I won’t be the last.”
Scotto told CNN that he had "never encountered anything like that."