Andy Harris, Republican congressman, will prosecute a student journalist for recording a press conference
The University of Maryland's journalism school defended Cat Murphy after Republican Rep. Andy Harris wrongly claimed that her recording violated Maryland's consent law.
Rep. Harris threatens student journalist, breaks law during intense viral exchange
In a video provided by The Baltimore Banner, Rep. Andy Harris mistakenly insists a journalism student is breaking the law during a heated exchange. (Credit: Ulysses Munoz/The Baltimore Banner)
Democratic Rep. Andy Harris wrongly insisted a University of Maryland student journalist was violating state law when he taped her at a news conference and threatened to refer her to prosecutors during a heated exchange after Tuesday's debate.
Speaking in a crowded hallway after an Oct. 13 debate with Democratic challenger Dan Schwartz, Harris asked University of Maryland student journalist Kat Murphy to stop recording the news conference, arguing that Maryland's bipartisan consent law required her permission. He was angry at the defense of a reporter from the Baltimore Banner who had angered him with a "stupid" question about why he had attended the debate.
"You don't have my permission to record. If you do, we will refer you to the prosecutor," Harris told Murphy.
The press freedom groups that blasted Trump have fired the Democratic governor over claims of media retaliation.
Rep. Andy Harris said a student reporter violated Maryland's bipartisan consent law by recording him at a news conference.
"But you're not allowed. We're in a bipartisan situation, you're not allowed," Harris said, gesturing to the student's face.
The student asked why he specifically wasn't allowed to record, and Harris remained frustrated.
"Because I refuse to give you permission to record," Harris said. "Do you know the law?"
The student tried to get another reporter to hold her tape recorder, and a separate reporter tried to explain to Harris that the interview was taking place in a public forum.
"I'm a legislator ... I actually know the law very well," Harris insisted.
The video shows the Simi Maine reporter almost being run over by a car after the fight
Rep. Andy Harris confronts University of Maryland student journalist Kat Murphy for taping a post-debate news conference in Cambridge, Maryland, on October 13, 2026. (Ulysses Munoz/screenshot)
Murphy then tried to ask Harris, who represents Maryland's 1st congressional district, about the war in Iran.
"You have to take away his camera," Harris said to someone in the room. He breaks the law. Actually, get an officer here. He violates the two-way recording rule. "We need an officer."
Other reporters repeatedly told Harris that they were "in public," but he replied that it "doesn't make any difference."
Lawmaker's startled face and other viral moments round off a tough week for the political class
Harris continued to insist that Murphy needed his permission to record before ending the news conference and leaving.
"He'll kill all your chances of getting an answer on anything," he said as he left, "See everyone."
According to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) in Maryland, the consent requirement only applies to "private conversations." Footage of the incident quickly went viral, and Harris was widely mocked for breaking the law.
The University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, where Murphy is a student, defended its actions in a statement.
"Cat Murphy is a graduate student at the University of Maryland who is credited as a reporter for our Capital News Service, doing what we teach our students to do. Dean Rafael Llorente said in a statement: "The cat was openly recording in a public space with other news agencies and this is his legal right." I am proud of how he handled himself in a difficult situation.
Merrill College of Journalism did not immediately respond to Murphy's request for comment.
Murphy told CNN that Harris had suggested during the debate that the war in Iran could have been "softer" and he sought clarification.
This exchange was also met with reactions from journalists and other social media users.
Harris is the only Republican in Maryland's congressional delegation.
Get all the stories you need to know from the most powerful names in news delivered to your inbox every morning.