White House Slams Violence at Trump Rallies

White House press secretary Josh Earnest condemned the violence that has occurred at Donald Trump presidential campaign rallies after two incidents occurred this week.

“There is no excuse or justification for acts of violence against reporters who are covering a political event," Earnest told reporters Friday aboard Air Force One. "The White House — like many other people including other Republicans — has been concerned by the invective and taunting that’s been directed at journalists covering a political event. It’s totally inappropriate, its not consistent with the standards of political discourse that should be observed by anybody seeking the highest elected office in the greatest country in the world.”

On the general ugly tenor of the GOP primary fight, Earnest stated: “People around the world are watching, and the tone and tenor of that debate does have an impact on the way people around the world see the United States. What is said by leading candidates for president on the campaign trail matters. It’s not just idle chatter — it has an impact.”

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump signs autographs at a March 7 campaign in Concord, North Carolina. The North Carolina Republican presidential primary will be held March 15. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Earnest said such tactics could harm the image of United States

“People around the world are watching and the tone and tenor of that debate does have an impact on the way people around the world see the United States,” Earnest said.

This week, Breitbart News reporter Michelle Fields filed a criminal complaint accusing Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski of aggressively grabbing her arm and attempting to pull her to the ground during a press conference in Florida. Trump’s campaign and Lewandowski denied the incident, calling her “totally delusional” and an “attention seeker.”

Breitbart News has been among the most supportive media outlets of the Trump campaign.

Also, this week, a Trump supporter punched a protester at a Trump rally in North Carolina.

Last week, a news photographer said a Secret Service agent at a Trump rally choked him. Secret Service agents work for the government not for Trump.