WAUKESHA COUNTY- The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office is getting heat, after a national reporter was removed from Wednesday's rally for Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Mike Pence.
Media was required to set up equipment ahead of a security sweep at the Waukesha County Expo Center. The sheriff's office, who was assisting the Secret Service, says The Washington Post reporter missed the sweep.
"For this particular incident we were advised of a security concern because this particular individual did not make the set security sweep for the media that was previously scheduled," explained Deputy Inspector Torin Misko, Waukesha County Sheriff's Office.
Event staff denied The Post reporter Jose A. DelReal credentials and access through the media entrance while other members of the press were allowed inside with their laptops and cellphones after the security sweep.
The reporter tried going through the general entrance, but was told he couldn't bring in his laptop or cellphone.
According to a Washington Post article, "When DelReal asked whether others attending the rally could enter with their cellphones, he said the unidentified official replied, “Not if they work for The Washington Post.”"
DelReal tried to enter again, but without his phone.
"The deputy used his discretion and asked for a consensual pat down, which was granted by this reporter. We did conduct the pat down and found nothing and that was related to event staff who did at that time let this person into the facility," explained Deputy Inspector Misko.
The sheriff's office says shortly after the reporter went inside event staff escorted him out of the Expo Center. They say several people were asked to leave, but don't know why.
In an article, the Executive Editor of The Post says, "The harassment of an independent press isn't coming to an end. It's getting worse."
We reached out to Trump's campaign for comment, but haven't heard back.
