Trump Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski Speaks Out About Dropped Battery Charge: 'I'm Glad It's Behind Us'

— -- Donald Trump's embattled campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, spoke out for the first time since the simple battery charge filed against him for allegedly grabbing reporter Michelle Fields was dropped.

Speaking to Fox News' Sean Hannity Thursday night, Lewandowski called the charges a "huge distraction" for the campaign and said the incident should not have "made this the story it is today."

"What we saw today was that they looked at the evidence and decided there's no way they can prosecute this case and move forward," said Lewandowski. "So first and foremost I want to thank Mr. Trump, secondly I want to thank my family and colleagues who sit by me in this difficult time."

Lewandowski was charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor, after he allegedly grabbed a reporter at a campaign event at the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida. The alleged incident, in March, was captured on video.

"I'm glad it's behind us, no charges moving forward and I'm ready to double my effort on this campaign to make sure Mr. Trump is elected," he said.

Trump's campaign and Lewandowski's legal team have maintained his innocence.

Prosecutors said that there was enough evidence to charge Lewandowski but not to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, they said Thursday.