Man accused of attacking TV reporter, saying 'This is Trump's America now'

[Dulcinea]

DENVER (AP) — A Colorado man is facing possible bias-motivated charges for allegedly attacking a television news reporter after demanding to know whether he was a citizen, saying “This is Trump’s America now,” according to court documents.

Patrick Thomas Egan, 39, was arrested Dec. 18 in Grand Junction, Colorado, after police say he followed KKCO/KJCT reporter Ja’Ronn Alex’s vehicle for around 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the Delta area. Alex told police that he believed he had been followed and attacked because he is Pacific Islander.

After arriving in Grand Junction, Egan, who was driving a taxi, pulled up next to Alex at a stoplight and, according to an arrest affidavit, said something to the effect of: “Are you even a U.S. citizen? This is Trump’s America now! I’m a Marine and I took an oath to protect this country from people like you!”

https://apnews.com/article/tv-reporter-attack-trumps-america-40c4c3622bf85baef9cefbd50d50fcec

[Walleye]

1. Considering he probably took an oath to protect the constitution, not the people of the country

Common mistake. I hear all the time. People saying the president’s job is to protect the people of the country. It is not, it is to protect the constitution, that protects the people.

[Bengus81]

21. And in 20+ days Trump is going to take that oath without busting out laughing?

I don't know how that orange POS will be able to have a straight face.

[Walleye]

25. I really think they are complicit in his lie if they even give him the oath

[The Wizard]

2. Assholism is Trump's political currency. (NT)

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Reminiscent of the attack on Abner Louima in NYC decades ago, 1997

While Louima at trial admitted that the alleged statement by a police officer while he was being beaten up was a fabrication ("It's Giuliani time!" ), it did sound plausible at the time. Louima was still attacked and badly injured with a handle in his rectum. That was the tenor of the NYC PD under Giuliani as Mayor. More than cleaning up the streets. It was a vicious campaign against alleged criminals.

https://www.wnyc.org/story/twenty-years-later-look-back-nypd-assault-abner-louima-and-what-it-means-today/

[Dennis Donovan]

4. This was an attempted murder and a hate crime. From the article:

Alex, who had been out reporting, then drove back to his news station in the city. After he got out of his vehicle, Egan chased Alex as he ran toward the station’s door and demanded to see his identification, according to the document laying out police’s evidence in the case. Egan then tackled Alex, put him in a headlock and “began to strangle him,” the affidavit said. Coworkers who ran out to help and witnesses told police that Alex appeared to be losing his ability to breathe during the attack, which was partially captured on surveillance video, according to the document.

[sop]

6. Egan was probably inspired by former-Marine Daniel Penny's NYC subway chokehold murder of Jordan Neely.

Trump and his henchmen turned Penny into a hero after he was acquitted.

[2naSalit]

8. Oh boy...

That fuckhead needs to be detained for a real long time and have some serious counseling.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

5. I think this fuckhead ex-Marine needs some years in jail.

He is a disgrace to Marines who served honorably and conduct themselves honorably in civilian life.

I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Egan was a screwup while he was in the Corps, also. Or that he never even served in the military and is just a bully and wannabe tough guy.

[multigraincracker]

7. Better yet. Put him in the Marine Brig.

I hear the treatment and food suck.

[Klondike Kat]

24. There are no ex-Marines

It's a title you earn.

That said, I'm pretty sure he was a "shit-bird" during his time in the Corps. Combine that with a "crayon-eater" mentality and this is what results.

[walkingman]

27. Too many people like this in our society. Too many vets becoming cops also.

Acting like a asshole might not be unacceptable in the military but it is in civilian world.

[Lovie777]

9. Expect more of this.................

violence on the rise. Corporate media plays a big part in this.

[mountain grammy]

10. Egan should be picked up

Last edited Sat Dec 28, 2024, 12:27 PM - Edit history (1)

He’s a clear danger to society.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. I would not accept the job of "licking" him up. It would be distasteful to say the least. (but I lol'ed) . . . nt

[mountain grammy]

26. 🤣 need to start watching my p's and l's.

[EddieOnTheMesa]

11. Loser Marine

Following orders from his draft dodging cowardly hero.He should have his DD214 revoked.

[orangecrush]

12. Learn self defense

Take some ciasses.

If you can and feel ok with it, get firearms training and a permit.

[Bengus81]

13. Bet that POS isn't driving a taxi any longer. Have they verified that he's really a Marine?

If he isn't that brings another charge. I wish someone at the station had a gun and SHOT his ass before he had a chance to strangle the reporter--which could have been to the point of death.

[LymphocyteLover]

14. these poor brainwashed Nazi troglodytes

[boonecreek]

16. It's Trump's America now?

OK dimbulb, but it will be your prison cell.

[Lonestarblue]

17. Trump and his Republican sycophants, including state officials, have loosed vigilantes to attack anyone they want.

I expect that we will see a lot more than of this behavior over the next four years. Anyone who doesn’t look lily white will be subject to attack just for being out in public. When Homan starts his migrant roundups, I’m sure the haters will be out in force to make citizens’ arrests of anyone black or brown.

[Joinfortmill]

18. No, he did not take an oath to protect the country from news reporters. He is dumber than a rock.

EXPECT MORE OF THIS.

[LilElf70]

19. And this is a sample of

fucking idiots that put Trump in the WH. The next 4 years are going to be a rough ride. Buckle up as we are witnessing the norm for now. It's quite sickening.

[Dem4life1970]

20. A criminal quoting a criminal....

[AverageOldGuy]

22. This is exactly why . . .

. . . I removed the “FDT” ( Fuck Donald Trump) and the “Don’t blame me I voted for Kamala” stickers from my truck and why there’s a pistol under the front seat of all my vehicles.

I live in deep red Virginia county that went over. 70% for Trump in 2016, 2020, and this year. Before each election local guy sponsored a “Trump train” over over. 150 vehicles sporting flags and fools leaning out the windows shouting, driving around the county with police escort.

Several other Democrats in the county do the same. We get the occasional middle finger and wise-ass comment in public.

[Old Crank]

23. Trump's America means

you can be a nasty person to people you don't like for what ever reason. especially colour.