Congressman-elect Greg Gianforte, the Montana Republican accused of assaulting a reporter one day before last month's special election, has requested to delay his appearance in court as his lawyers negotiate a potential settlement.

Gianforte's lawyers made the request in a motion expected to be filed on Tuesday afternoon. Under the terms of the misdemeanor assault charge he faces, he was ordered to appear in court no later than this Wednesday.

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The motion asks the Gallatin County Justice Court to delay that initial appearance for up to two weeks, and adds that both the state and Gianforte are "currently exploring a settlement."

The court is likely to grant his request and give him more time.

Gianforte shocked the political world when he allegedly body-slammed The Guardian's Ben Jacobs to the floor, breaking his glasses, one day before the special election. His campaign initially framed the altercation as "aggressive behavior from a liberal journalist," but Gianforte apologized at his victory party the next day.

"Last night, I made a mistake and I took an action that I can't take back — and I'm not proud of what happened," Gianforte said at the time. "I should not have responded in the way that I did and for that I'm sorry. I should not have treated that reporter that way and for that I am sorry, Mr. Ben Jacobs."

Gianforte's victory over Democrat Rob Quist gave him the right to fill the seat vacated by President Trump's Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke.

The congressman-elect, who has not yet been sworn in, filed for reelection this week.