Reporter removed from Trump-Putin press conference after apparent protest

Security on Monday forcibly removed a reporter moments before President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin began a press conference.

The person appeared to be carrying a sign and protesting.

{mosads}

CNN identified the man as a reporter with “The Nation,” a progressive publication. The man held up a piece of paper that appeared to read “Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty.”

Security attempted to seize the paper from the man, but he resisted and continued to hold it up as other reporters in the room looked on.

The protestor at Trump Putin presser. pic.twitter.com/YRRX7fMxNb

— Terry Moran (@TerryMoran) July 16, 2018

WOW — a reporter was forcibly removed from the press conference before it began. @Acosta says he is with @thenation, and was taken out because he was carrying an anti-nuclear weapons “protest sign” pic.twitter.com/bRPIiyiCRP

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 16, 2018

The man was eventually escorted out, and the two leaders emerged to begin the press conference minutes later.

The Nation later told MSNBC the man escorted out was Sam Husseini, who the organization had issued credentials to. Husseini has contributed one op-ed to the Nation previously and is the communications director of the Institute for Public Accuracy.

“At a time when this administration consistently denigrates the media, we’re troubled by reports that he was forcibly removed from the press conference,” the left-leaning magazine said in a statement.

Trump said prior to meeting with Putin that he planned to discuss nuclear weapons with the Russian leader. He previously indicated he would consider it a success if he could extend an agreement with Russia that limits nuclear proliferation.

Trump and Putin have both drawn criticism for their rhetoric and actions toward the press.

On Sunday, Trump again said many members of the media are the “enemy of the people,” while complaining that the press will not give him proper credit for his meeting with Putin.

The president has often labeled negative press coverage as “fake news.”

Putin, meanwhile, has cracked down on the media in Russia. A number of journalists who have written pieces critical of the Kremlin have been jailed, attacked or killed in the country.

Updated at 12:38 p.m.