“Each of the situations that permit some level of unwanted contact is a universe of its own defined by the reasonableness of the contact or force used. I have no idea how this fits on the scale, but it is probably a lot smarter for a senior campaign staffer not to do the touching in the first place.”
Good point. When there’s a sliding scale of acceptability, it’s better to aim for the “zero” end.
A secret service agent in trail to Trump’s right is in evidence by the videos. Something occurred at the moment the agent drew close to the position occupied by Fields and the Washington Post reporter.
What incident drew the secret service agents attention, such that he fell back, and allowed Fields to enter a position of pursuit on Trump’s right side?
Lewendowski appears to realize security has been compromised, and steps obliquely to interpose himself between Trump, and someone reaching toward Trump.