Officials in Waukesha County were scrambling today to explain why a reporter from The Washington Post was barred from covering Mike Pence’s first solo event as the Republican vice presidential nominee.
Advertisement
The Indiana governor told the fired-up crowd that he didn’t hesitate when asked to be Donald Trump’s running mate.
DelReal said he then locked his equipment away in a vehicle but was again denied entry into the expo center.
When DelReal put his laptop and phone in his auto and tried once again to enter through the general admission line, the same official stopped him and called over sheriff’s deputies, who allegedly patted him down.
Pence has been campaigning for Trump in Wisconsin this week.
Trump said in a press conference this week: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing”.
Pence’s campaign expressed embarrassment and regret about the episode, which an official blamed on overzealous campaign volunteers.
During a joint “60 Minutes” interview after Trump selected Pence as his running mate, Trump said that he “didn’t ask” Pence to engage in similar name-calling. “This is not our policy”. “Now, law enforcement officers, in collusion with private security officials, subjected a reporter to bullying treatment that no ordinary citizen has to endure”.
“Donald Trump will lead from strength”, Pence said.
Some attendees said that Pence, whose tenure as governor included controversial “religious freedom” legislation inspired by his evangelical Christian faith, brings a strong moral compass to the Republican ticket.
Pence suggested that he would try to convince Trump, who has banned individual journalists and entire publications that he deemed “unfair” from covering his campaign rallies, to take a different tack.
He said Clinton “can’t hide” from her 25 years in public life.
Advertisement
But for Trump supporter Kathleen Turner, being at the rally was surreal and chance for her to participate up-close in an election she believes will determine the future of the country. “Based on the incredibly inaccurate coverage and reporting of the record-setting Trump campaign, we are hereby revoking the press credentials of the phony and dishonest Washington Post”, Trump wrote on his Facebook page in mid-June.
