‘Squad’ Member’s Husband Slaps Phone Out of Reporter’s Hand During Fraud Question [WATCH]

The husband of progressive “Squad” member Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., slapped a phone out of a reporter’s hands Monday inside a Massachusetts city hall building as the reporter attempted to ask the congresswoman about alleged childcare fraud in Minnesota, as reported by Fox News.

The incident occurred at Chelsea City Hall in Chelsea, Massachusetts, where Pressley was attending a public event.

Video of the encounter shows the reporter approaching Pressley with a phone camera recording as he attempted to pose a question.

“Congresswoman Pressley, do you support –” the interviewer can be heard saying before Pressley’s husband, Conan Harris, struck the phone out of the reporter’s hand.

“Sir, you cannot take my phone out of my hand,” the reporter said on the recording after the phone fell to the ground and was picked back up.

Harris, who spent 10 years in prison on felony drug trafficking charges, was seen walking away from the scene and entering what appeared to be a bathroom or side room off the hallway as the cameraman attempted to refocus the shot on him.

Harris later married Pressley, who has publicly stated that she draws from his experience reintegrating into society after prison when advocating for incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

After Harris left the immediate area, the reporter made a second attempt to question Pressley as she continued walking through the building, surrounded by staff members.

“Congresswoman Pressley, do you support President Trump investigating Somali childcare fraud in Minnesota?” the reporter asked. “Congresswoman Pressley?”

Pressley did not respond to the questions and continued walking away with her entourage.

The confrontation took place on the same day the Trump administration announced it would freeze $10 billion in federal childcare funding across five Democrat-led states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York.

The decision followed reports of widespread social services fraud involving the Somali community in Minnesota.

An official from the Office of Management and Budget told Axios that the funding freeze was tied to concerns over fraud and the distribution of federal funds to undocumented immigrants.

The issue has drawn national attention as the administration reviews federal spending tied to social programs.

Former Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk addressed the issue this week, arguing that Minnesota is not the largest concern.

“The fraud in California, New York, and Illinois is far greater than in Minnesota,” Musk said. “My guess for how much fraud is happening nationwide is roughly 10% of the Federal budget, so about $700 billion per year.”

Pressley did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital regarding the incident or her position on the investigation into childcare fraud.

The video of the encounter circulated online as questions continue over federal oversight, alleged fraud in social services programs, and how elected officials are responding to inquiries surrounding the issue.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.