VIDEO: US lawmaker threatens to break reporter in half, throw him off balcony

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Being a journalist is definitely very stressful and dangerous. Reporters risk their lives not only gathering news in hot spots but also just asking US politicians uncomfortable questions. An embattled US congressman was caught on film threatening to break a reporter in half and throw him off a Capitol balcony after he was asked about a campaign finance probe.

Michael Grimm, a Republican from New York, lost his temper during an interview with NY1 News television immediately after President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

"I'm not talking about anything that's off topic. This is only about the president's speech," Grimm said, after the NY1 journalist asked him about an investigation into campaign finances.

Grimm stepped off screen but, after the reporter noted on camera that Grimm refused to discuss the investigation, he returned for a physical altercation that was largely captured on video.

"Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I'll throw you off this f***ing balcony," Grimm said, in video broadcast by the station, which confirmed Grimm's comments.

Pressed by the reporter so say why such a question was off limits, Grimm responded: "You're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy."

Station political director Bob Hardt called the incident "extremely disturbing."

"The NY1 family is certainly alarmed and disappointed by the behavior of Representative Grimm and demands a full apology from him," Hardt said.

Grimm, a former US Marine and FBI special agent, issued a statement late Tuesday, but not an apology.

He said he had become "extremely annoyed" because, in the rush to do the interview with NY1 after Obama's speech, the reporter took a "cheap shot" by asking a question off-topic.

"I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect," Grimm said. "I doubt that I am the first Member of Congress to tell off a reporter, and I am sure I won't be the last."

Grimm, 43, is a two-term congressman from Staten Island, New York.  New York Mayor Bill De Blasio reportedly described Grimm's actions as "absolutely inappropriate," and called on the House of Representatives leadership to sanction the lawmaker.