Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, will not be prosecuted for a battery charge in connection to former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields, Florida prosecutors announced on Thursday.
“Although the facts support the allegation that Lewandowski did grab Miss Fields’ arm against her will, there is sufficient evidence to presume his innocence,” Florida state attorney Dave Aronberg said in a press conference.
MORE: Insufficient evidence for potential conviction of Corey Lewandowski, prosecutor says https://t.co/EUp8ZZUCau https://t.co/kSWwIfDRYY
— CBSN (@CBSNLive) April 14, 2016
The decision not to pursue the battery charge should come as a major relief to Trump, who has been under fire for defending Lewandowski despite mounting evidence he forcibly grabbed Fields by the arm as she tried to approach the presidential candidate at a March 8 campaign event. Since the incident, both Lewandowski and Trump repeatedly denied Fields’ accusation and attempted to discredit her as an “attention seeker” and “delusional.”
But weeks later, surveillance footage that appeared to corroborate Fields’ claims was released, prompting Jupiter, Florida, police to charge Lewandowski with simple battery. Even then, Trump continued to insist his campaign manager was innocent.
Wow, Corey Lewandowski, my campaign manager and a very decent man, was just charged with assaulting a reporter. Look at tapes-nothing there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2016
Despite Trump’s public defense, recent reports say Lewandowski’s role in the campaign has diminished.
“The crew’s expanding,” one source told Politico. “The inner circle is not what it used to be.”