NBC News correspondent Geoff Bennett was shoved by the attorney of U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland while attempting to ask a question outside the Capitol on Thursday, prompting an immediate protest from the reporter.



"As a respected attorney, I am sure you understand how the free press works,” Bennett said to Sondland attorney Robert Luskin after the lawyer placed his hands on the reporter.



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WATCH: @GeoffRBennett reminds a man how the free press works after the man puts his hands on him while he tries to question Amb. Sondland ahead of Sondland's testimony before Congress this morning. https://t.co/osbGeHGPJX pic.twitter.com/Hzhr966SbP — MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 17, 2019

Luskin relented, allowing Bennett to approach Sondland.



“Can you say definitively there was no quid pro quo?” Bennett asked the U.S diplomat.



“I am not giving any comment until my testimony. Thanks,” Sondland replied.



“Why was it important for you to show up here today?” Bennett pressed.



“It is always important to show up when Congress calls,” the ambassador answered.



Sondland appeared before House impeachment investigators on Thursday amid a look into President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE's interactions with Ukraine.

A statement of Sondland's opening remarks showed the diplomat was planning to say that President Trump had directed administration officials to work with his attorney, Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE.