A celebration of the opening of Donald Trump's campaign office in Valdosta, Georgia, was marred by a physical fight between two conservatives.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution gathered information from police and witnesses following the July 29 event. A police report said that Brandon Phillips, the top aide to U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), intervened in an argument related to election security.
Activist Sam Carnline told police that Phillips spit in his face, prompting physical retaliation.
"Brandon Phillips got in the middle of the conversation because he didn't like the questions he was asking," the police report said. "Words were exchanged between he and Brandon, because he was upset that Brandon spit in his face."
While Phillips denied spitting in Carnline's face, the police report concluded that he did.
"I informed Brandon that he instigated the incident by spitting on Carnline," the officer's report read. "Both parties agreed to separate and go their separate ways with no further law enforcement action needed."
Phillips later told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he intervened because he did not like the questions Carnline, an activist for paper ballots, asked Republican State Rep. John LaHood.
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"They say politics can be a contact sport, and sometimes it is," Phillips explained. "I certainly don't mind defending any volunteers or officials who are trying to contribute in a positive way toward a Trump victory from outside agitators with the opposite agenda."
At least one witness suggested Phillips did not start the violence.
"One of the witnesses was Dennis Futch of Moultrie, a veteran Republican activist," the paper noted. "He told the AJC that he didn't see Phillips spit, but that if he did it was inadvertent because they were both shouting. He said he saw Carnline shove or hit Phillips twice."
