A disturbing trend is unfolding in the United States, with the Trump administration attempting to silence journalists by exploiting a law meant to protect reproductive health clinics. Two journalists, Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, were arrested after covering a protest at a Minneapolis-area church, with prosecutors alleging they infringed on the FACE Act's provisions regarding houses of worship.
The FACE Act, written in 1994, was designed to shield those seeking abortions from intimidation by restricting First Amendment-protected speech. However, the Trump administration is now using this law to harass and intimidate journalists who report on protests and public demonstrations. The Department of Justice is arguing that Lemon's livestream reporting on the protest constituted "interfering" with a place of worship, while Fort was accused of intimidating the church pastor by asking him questions.
Courts have previously ruled that covering protests, including those held in churches, does not constitute a crime under the FACE Act. The law specifically prohibits actions such as interfering with access to reproductive health clinics or places of worship, which include physical obstruction or intimidation. However, Lemon's livestreaming and Fort's questioning did not meet these criteria.
This latest development is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration's assault on press freedom. Federal agents have raided the home of a Washington Post reporter and seized her devices in a leak investigation. The Department of Government Efficiency has stripped Congress of its power over the purse, and news outlets that challenge Trump have been banished or put under investigation.
The Intercept is sounding the alarm about this trend, warning that journalists need support to defend themselves against such attacks. As the director of the Press Freedom Defense Fund says, "What's critical is that the media cover this attack, look at the administration's motivations, and pay attention to who is being prosecuted." The organization is working to provide resources for journalists like Fort, who face prosecution under the FACE Act.
This case highlights the urgent need for press freedom and the importance of protecting journalists from harassment and intimidation. As journalist Don Lemon notes, covering a protest – even one held in a church – is not a crime. And asking questions about public demonstrations does not constitute a violation of religious freedom.
The Intercept urges readers to join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PressFreedomMatters, and to support independent journalism by becoming a member of the organization. The future of democracy depends on a free press that can hold those in power accountable without fear of reprisal.
The FACE Act, written in 1994, was designed to shield those seeking abortions from intimidation by restricting First Amendment-protected speech. However, the Trump administration is now using this law to harass and intimidate journalists who report on protests and public demonstrations. The Department of Justice is arguing that Lemon's livestream reporting on the protest constituted "interfering" with a place of worship, while Fort was accused of intimidating the church pastor by asking him questions.
Courts have previously ruled that covering protests, including those held in churches, does not constitute a crime under the FACE Act. The law specifically prohibits actions such as interfering with access to reproductive health clinics or places of worship, which include physical obstruction or intimidation. However, Lemon's livestreaming and Fort's questioning did not meet these criteria.
This latest development is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration's assault on press freedom. Federal agents have raided the home of a Washington Post reporter and seized her devices in a leak investigation. The Department of Government Efficiency has stripped Congress of its power over the purse, and news outlets that challenge Trump have been banished or put under investigation.
The Intercept is sounding the alarm about this trend, warning that journalists need support to defend themselves against such attacks. As the director of the Press Freedom Defense Fund says, "What's critical is that the media cover this attack, look at the administration's motivations, and pay attention to who is being prosecuted." The organization is working to provide resources for journalists like Fort, who face prosecution under the FACE Act.
This case highlights the urgent need for press freedom and the importance of protecting journalists from harassment and intimidation. As journalist Don Lemon notes, covering a protest – even one held in a church – is not a crime. And asking questions about public demonstrations does not constitute a violation of religious freedom.
The Intercept urges readers to join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #PressFreedomMatters, and to support independent journalism by becoming a member of the organization. The future of democracy depends on a free press that can hold those in power accountable without fear of reprisal.
... how are journalists supposed to report on protests if they're constantly being bullied by the government? it's like they're trying to silence us before we can even tell our stories 
... the face act was meant to protect reproductive health clinics, not journalists who just want to do their job 
... don't these guys know that press freedom is what makes democracy work? 
! Trump's trying to silence journalists by exploiting an old law meant for protecting abortion clinics, now he's targeting reporters covering protests & public events. What's next? 
. I mean, covering a protest in a church doesn't equal harassment or intimidation 
. And asking questions is totally not gonna get you in trouble 
. It's like they think journalists are just there to cater to the admin's narrative, instead of holding them accountable 
.
. The Intercept is doing some great work in highlighting this trend, but we gotta keep pushing back with our voices 
. Let's get the word out and show that we won't stand for this kind of intimidation! 
this is getting super sketchy with trump's administration trying to silence journalists who are just doing their job 
I mean, come on! If Trump's administration wants to silence journalists, they should be saying "Journalists are like pizza delivery guys – you can't catch 'em all" 
Not literally arresting people for doing their job. And what's with this FACE Act nonsense? Sounds like a made-up term from a bad 90s law movie 
. Newsflash: protests in churches are not exactly private events (unless they're invite-only, like some exclusive tea parties) 
. And those journalists, Don Lemon and Georgia Fort? They were just doing their job – covering a story. You can't intimidate someone for asking questions that make you uncomfortable 
. This is all about silencing dissenting voices and controlling the narrative. Not cool, guys 
. News outlets need to keep speaking out against this kind of thing and we, as viewers, need to be aware of what's going on 
news orgs need 2 stand up 4 themselves & dont let them bully 'em into silcence 
it's like he thinks they're not doing their job 
covering protests and asking questions is part of the job description 
if he's gonna start using laws meant for reproductive health clinics to go after them then that's a whole different story 
- it's insane how they're trying to use a law meant for reproductive health clinics to silence journalists! 
news orgs need 2 step up & support journalists like these 2 
gotta protect free speech & press freedom 
. covering protests and asking questions is not a crime, it's just journalism 
. we need to stand up for press freedom and support our fave journalists 
, let's join the convo using #PressFreedomMatters and keep an eye on these developments 