Was it Katy Tur who said that journalists are like firefighters running toward the fire? Mainstream media journalists never fail to remind us how brave they are. Basement podcaster and Reflecting Pool sentry Jim Acosta used to fear for his life when his gig was to cover Donald Trump campaign rallies, as the crowd chanted, "CNN sucks!" He even wrote a book in 2019 entitled "The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America."
Then there are the independent journalists like Savanah Hernandez and Nick Sortor who have been assaulted and threatened for trying to cover leftist protests. Joe Sokol is a reporter for The Maine Wire and was doing a live shot across the street from a Bangor methadone clinic this week when a driver backed up and told him he was invading people's privacy. The man, identified as Ryan Hayward, drove off, turned around, and then drove back on the roadside, nearly running down Sokol.
Some lunatic just attempted to murder our reporter @iAmJoeSokol.
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) October 1, 2026
We have the entire chilling interaction on camera.
We will take all necessary actions to demand justice. pic.twitter.com/Iwlpf3BWIx
This comes after a man who previously assaulted Joe was required to issue an apology letter and attend a class on press freedom.
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) October 1, 2026
We warned that this soft approach would lead to further violence against our reporters.
Unfortunately, we were right:https://t.co/UPyqARHPRF
Another one of our reporters @MaineWireJon was assaulted with a skateboard earlier this summer.
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) October 1, 2026
That individual was also required to write an apology letter.https://t.co/BMMJhtOc1g
Good news … it doesn't look like Hayward is getting off with an apology letter:
BREAKING: AN ARREST HAS BEEN MADE:
— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) October 2, 2026
Ryan Hayward has been arrested and charged with:
-Reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon
-Criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon
-Driving to endanger
-Violating conditions of release https://t.co/OLRUO1eAy3 pic.twitter.com/hZyiKEQ2Dc
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"In a phone interview with The Maine Wire, Hayward denied that he had attempted to murder Sokol, but admitted that his actions were motivated by his disagreements with Sokol’s reporting," they report.
He looks exactly like the type of guy who thought it was a good idea to try to run over journalists while the camera was rolling.
— JD Rucker (@JDRucker) October 2, 2026
Should have been attempted mvrder
— Noah Daniels (@noahdaniels65) October 3, 2026
What was he on bail for?
— Ash Williams (@AshWilliam99) October 2, 2026
Is he free or in jail?
— R.Myers (@RMyers47) October 2, 2026
With the video and the witnesses, this idiot will take a plea deal.
— Dark Captain (@TimesDarkCapt) October 2, 2026
VIOLATING CONDITIONS OF RELEASE.
— Andy the Builder (@207_Builder) October 2, 2026
The judges who let these low-life junkies back into the street need to be called to the carpet.
The only treatment they need involves a pine box and a hole.
The question, @TheMaineWire, is how long will he actually stay in jail before a liberal activist judge lets him out on bail ? Be safe guys!
— Zough Lina (@GodisKing2024) October 2, 2026
It looked like attempted murder to me. But I don't really know how law works in Bangorigrad.
— Robert Keyes (@Robert_of_Maine) October 2, 2026
Libs were saying he was only trying to take out the camera. That's like an Army sniper saying I was only shooting at his equipment - his helmet, rifle, pistol belt all while the bad guy was wearing it.
— Doug White (@DougWhite_CW4R) October 2, 2026
Violating conditions of release? So he was on parole or bail and he still did this? This guy is a true danger to society. He didn't accidentally do this, he wanted to kill this reporter.
— Someone Important (@justimportant2) October 2, 2026
Where is the attempted vehicular homicide charge?
— Charlie (@GBD_Charlie) October 2, 2026
“Violating conditions of release” 😂 I see this is not his first rodeo.
— Concerned Citizen (@PHQ420) October 3, 2026
He’s just angry that his idol Graham Platner dropped out of the race. 🤡
— Bob Morgan 🇺🇸 (@Skitzer31) October 3, 2026
Imagine the heartfelt letter he will have to write
— tom sousa (@sousafootball) October 2, 2026
Attempted vehicular manslaughter does seem to be missing from the list of charges. This moron pulled over, got himself on camera, drove off, turned around, and then tried to run the reporter down. That's some poor impulse control and an open-and-shut case of premeditation.
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