WASHINGTON — Attacking journalists or threatening them would be a federal crime under legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez.

Menendez, D-N.J., joined U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., introducing the Journalist Protection Act at a time when President Donald Trump has called the media “enemies of the American people, ”

Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., assaulted a journalist during his campaign, and a Trump supporter at a Texas rally featuring the president attacked a BBC cameraman.

The bill was proposed during Sunshine Week, an annual event designed to call attention to the need for access to information about the government.

“Despite the dangerous rhetoric coming from the Trump administration, and yet another disturbing attack on a journalist covering a MAGA rally, a free press will never be the enemy of the people," Menendez said.

“A free and independent press — a strong Fourth Estate — is essential to the American people and our democracy, ensuring an informed public and holding those in power accountable.”

The legislation would make it a federal crime to intentionally cause physical harm or threaten physical harm to a journalist on the job.

“Under this administration, reporters face a near-constant barrage of verbal threats, casting the media as enemies of the American people and possible targets of violence,” Blumenthal said. "This bill makes clear that engaging in any kind of violence against members of the media will simply not be tolerated.”

Despite the Trump Admin’s dangerous rhetoric, a free press will NEVER be the enemy of the people. In the spirit of #SunshineWeek we must work to make gov’t more transparent and to protect the journalists dedicated to holding those in power accountable. https://t.co/ueQjIfSnTz — Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) March 12, 2019

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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