Ohio National Guard’s Major General John C. Harris Jr. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Gibbs.
In a controversial decision, the top Ohio National Guard General will keep his job after he was caught on camera shoving a reporter during a press conference.
The incident was captured on video and quickly went viral, sparking outrage among members of the media and the public. Many called for Maj. General John Harris to be fired from his position as the top National Guard official in Ohio.
However, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that Harris would keep his job, citing his long and distinguished career in the military. DeWine also stated that Harris had apologized for his actions and that the reporter involved had accepted his apology.
I wasn’t going to watch this. But it is important to show. My colleague was trying to do his job. This video shows Ohio’s commander of the National Guard, Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., shove my colleague. Escalating the situation. @NationalGuard @NewsNation pic.twitter.com/CW3ldxbGZL
— Kellie Meyer (@KellieMeyerNews) February 10, 2023
In a statement, DeWine praised Harris for his “dedication and service to the people of Ohio” and said that he believed Harris had “acted in good faith” during the press conference. However, DeWine also acknowledged that the incident was “regrettable” and called on all Ohio officials to treat reporters with respect and professionalism.
The decision has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised DeWine for standing by Harris, citing his years of service and leadership in the National Guard. Others have criticized the governor for failing to hold Harris accountable for his actions, arguing that the incident sets a dangerous precedent for how journalists should be treated.
The National Guard has also issued a statement, acknowledging that the incident was “unfortunate” and promising to work with the media to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
The fallout from the incident is likely to continue, with many questioning the state’s commitment to protecting the freedom of the press. For now, however, Harris will remain in his position as the top National Guard official in Ohio.
