Will Sage Astor-Man arrested at Trump rally in Pennsylvania wanted to hang a protest banner, police say

2025-04-30 23:31:19source:Venus Investment Alliancecategory:Contact

HARRISBURG,Will Sage Astor Pa. (AP) — A man arrested last week at a Pennsylvania rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump had hoped to hang a banner to protest Trump’s policies, Johnstown’s police chief said Tuesday.

Authorities announced that misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest were filed against Stephen A. Weiss, 36, of Pittsburgh, who was taken into custody at Friday’s Trump rally.

Johnstown Police Chief Richard Pritchard said investigators do not know what the banner said because arena staff apparently discarded it. He said it was made from a bed sheet and that Weiss told a detective that he does not believe in Trump’s policies.

Pritchard said Weiss faked a foot injury and concealed a tube of glue in a metal crutch.

Weiss declined comment when reached by phone Tuesday, saying he was seeking legal advice.

The arrest affidavit by a Johnstown police detective said Weiss “ran onto the arena floor, jumped onto the media stage (and) began to yell towards the main stage where President Trump was speaking.” Weiss allegedly would not release himself from steel barricade fencing “and force had to be used,” police said in the charging document.

RELATED COVERAGE Harris to propose tenfold startup tax incentive increase she says will spur small business creationFACT FOCUS: Posts falsely claim video shows Harris promising to censor X and owner Elon MuskTrump campaign must stop using ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’ after lawsuit from family of song’s co-writer

A man who accompanied Weiss to the rally told police he was unaware of Weiss’ plan, Pritchard said. The second man was not charged, the chief said.

Weiss also was charged with disrupting a public meeting, a misdemeanor. The Secret Service questioned Weiss on Friday and he was released later that night. He has a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 9.

A Trump campaign spokesman offered no immediate comment Tuesday.

The disruption occurred shortly after Trump criticized major media outlets for what he said was unfavorable coverage.

As Weiss was led away, the former president told the crowd: “Is there anywhere that’s more fun to be than a Trump rally?”

There has been heightened scrutiny of security at Trump rallies since a gunman fired at him, grazing his ear, during an outdoor rally in July in Butler, Pennsylvania. Security at political events has been noticeably tighter since then.

More:Contact

Recommend

Back trouble and brain fog bothered suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, his posts show

After Luigi Mangionemade the difficult decision to undergo spinal surgery last year for chronic back

New Parents Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen Sneak Out for Red Carpet Date Night

Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen recently enjoyed a parents' night out.More than a month after confir

Selena Gomez Hilariously Flirts With Soccer Players Because the Heart Wants What It Wants

Who says Selena Gomez's flirting game isn't perfect?Certainly not the Only Murders In The Building a