A TV news reporter was allegedly attacked in Colorado by a man shouting, “This is Trump’s America now!” during an incident that highlights growing hostility towards the media. The suspect, Patrick Thomas Egan, 39, was taken into custody on December 18th in Grand Junction on charges of bias-motivated crimes, second-degree assault, and harassment. Details from criminal court documents reveal that Egan followed KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ron Alex while he was fulfilling a reporting assignment.

According to the Guardian, Egan confronted Alex at a stoplight, asking him, “Are you even a US citizen? This is Trump’s America now! I’m a Marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!” This escalated into physical violence as Egan tackled Alex and placed him in a headlock, reportedly strangling him. Witnesses confirmed that Alex struggled to breathe during the incident before co-workers intervened.

The Daily Beast noted the attack was recorded on surveillance footage, further emphasizing the alarming climate surrounding press freedom. The incident comes as former President Trump has previously dubbed the media the “enemy of the people,” fostering a narrative that has contributed to increasing hostility and violence against journalists. Recent statistics indicate a concerning rise in attacks, with the Freedom of the Press Foundation reporting 75 assaults on journalists in 2023 alone, representing a 70% increase from the previous year. Egan is scheduled to appear in court on January 2 to address potential formal charges.