Watch CNN Reporter Joe Johns Battle A Raccoon Outside Of The White House

A video of CNN reporter Joe Johns has gone viral after the television personality found himself in a battle with a raccoon moments before he was supposed to go on air to report news from the White House.

The incident took place early Wednesday when Johns was standing on the White House lawn and noticed a raccoon creeping up behind him, TMZ reports.

In a video of the incident, Johns attempts to scare the raccoon away by yelling at it. “Get!!! There he is,” he said as he tried to intimidate the animal.

Unfortunately, Johns failed to scare off the animal, which continued to approach him. The reporter then resorted to throwing a large item in the direction of the raccoon, which initially appeared to get rid of it.

However, once Johns delivered his report, he, and a few staff members who were off-camera, noticed the animal had once again returned. “It always comes around right about when I’m gonna go on TV,” Johns stated in the clip.

Johns’ battle with the raccoon gained attention after other reporters shared footage of the incident on Twitter, praising his ability to keep his cool when it was time to report his story despite the unexpected guest.

“This is what a consummate professional @joejohnscnn is. Seconds before his @NewDay live shot, he fends off a raccoon attack! Just another day in the nutty news cycle. #behindthescenes #whitehouseraccoon #wildlife,” fellow CNN reporter Alisyn Camerota tweeted along with the viral video.

ABC News White House correspondent Karen Travers responded, “Whether it’s asking tough Qs or fighting the raccoons on the North Lawn... @joejohnscnn does not mess around!!”

Johns later took to Twitter to reply to Travers and revealed that it wasn’t the first time he's had trouble with raccoons.

“So it’s the 2d time in two weeks a raccoon has shown up shortly after the @NewDay open. I think they’re attracted to the lights. No animals were harmed. I threw something to scare it off. #CrazyOuttakes,” he explained.