Macron helps: French police dishonored Benalla's office

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French police searched the office A scandal at the Elysee Wednesday

Alexander Benalla, 26, was dismissed last week and faces several charges after the emergence of footage showing demonstrators of aggression during events of May 1st.

The former bodyguard was present

President Emmanuel Macron spoke for the first time about the scandal – while taking the press.

He told the guests at a reception in camera Tuesday night: "We have a media that does I do not see the truth … I see a media power that wants to be a judiciary."

"What happened on May 1 is terrible, serious, and for me it was a disappointment and a betrayal," said President Macron. legislators

"The only person responsible for this case is me," he said. "If they're looking for someone in charge, he's right in front of you, they can pick me up."

Legislators demanded to know why the presidency did not act sooner than the Minister of the Interior admitted that he knew of the video on May 2

Mr. Macron again criticized the media on Wednesday, telling reporters from two points of view: "You said a lot of nonsense in recent days."

Rejection of the fourth state

By Lucy Williamson, BBC correspondent in Paris

Emmanuel Macron has been wary of the media since his entry into the Elysée Palace.

His tightly controlled operation will not stand up to the kind of filthy ideas given by his predecessor, preferring instead a more distant, almost royal image for the president, over the scrabble scramble of the media.

Alexander Benalla's muscular actions fired President Macron, since Le Monde last week released a video showing the presidential bodyguard usurping the identity of a police officer. May Day demonstrations, hoisting one protester and beating another.

million. Benalla was fired, but the scandal of his initial treatment – allegedly indulgent – by the Elysee prompted parliament to halt his normal deliberations this week, and led the conservative opposition to demand a motion of censure. impact – some even call it the Watergate of France – seems exaggerated, perhaps swollen by a shortage of news before the summer holidays, but Macron's apparent anger of being targeted as it says as much about his leadership style. as the media themselves

M. Macron dismissed Benalla from his post as assistant to the French president's chief of staff on Friday.

On Sunday, charges were laid against Mr. Benalla, accused of assaulting an accomplice, immersing himself in police work, usurping the identity of a police officer and receiving illegally surveillance images

. The campaign defended his actions, saying he "lent a hand" to the rioters on the scene after being "invited to observe" their operations.

He believes that his behavior was exploited for media and political purposes. , said his lawyers.