The Trump administration's latest attempt to stifle the press is a stark reminder of its disdain for freedom of the press and its willingness to use the law to silence dissenting voices. Two journalists, Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, have been arrested under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) for reporting on a protest at a church in Minneapolis.
The FACE Act was written with a specific purpose: to protect those seeking abortions without restricting First Amendment-protected speech. However, the Trump administration is twisting this law to chill dissent by prosecuting journalists for the crime of reporting. The Department of Justice claims that Lemon's start-to-finish livestream reporting on the protest constitutes an interference in access to a place of worship, and Fort's actions with Lemon approached the pastor in "close proximity" and tried to oppress and intimidate him.
However, courts have found the right to report and record events of public concern almost universally to be "expressive conduct." The FACE Act itself provides specific instructions on the kind of behavior that constitutes a violation, including interfering with, intimidating, or obstructing access to a place of worship. However, covering a protest — even one inside a church — isn't a crime, and asking questions — including difficult ones — isn't a violation of religious freedom.
This prosecution is chilling because it targets journalists who are doing their job by covering a community crisis. The Trump administration's attacks on press freedom continue to mount, and it's essential that journalists find support when they're under fire. The media must cover this attack, look at the administration's motivations, and pay attention to who is being prosecuted.
The news industry must also chronicle the litany of abuses carried out by the Trump administration's immigration enforcement apparatus on the streets of Minneapolis and other cities across the U.S. This is not simply a shambolic legal gambit, but an obvious attempt to divert attention away from the horrifying assault that has resulted in true violations of First Amendment rights of protesters and journalists, and the brutal killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.
It's essential to support independent journalism like The Intercept, which is fighting back against this post-truth America. The Intercept needs your help to expand its reporting capacity in time to hit the ground running in 2026.
The FACE Act was written with a specific purpose: to protect those seeking abortions without restricting First Amendment-protected speech. However, the Trump administration is twisting this law to chill dissent by prosecuting journalists for the crime of reporting. The Department of Justice claims that Lemon's start-to-finish livestream reporting on the protest constitutes an interference in access to a place of worship, and Fort's actions with Lemon approached the pastor in "close proximity" and tried to oppress and intimidate him.
However, courts have found the right to report and record events of public concern almost universally to be "expressive conduct." The FACE Act itself provides specific instructions on the kind of behavior that constitutes a violation, including interfering with, intimidating, or obstructing access to a place of worship. However, covering a protest — even one inside a church — isn't a crime, and asking questions — including difficult ones — isn't a violation of religious freedom.
This prosecution is chilling because it targets journalists who are doing their job by covering a community crisis. The Trump administration's attacks on press freedom continue to mount, and it's essential that journalists find support when they're under fire. The media must cover this attack, look at the administration's motivations, and pay attention to who is being prosecuted.
The news industry must also chronicle the litany of abuses carried out by the Trump administration's immigration enforcement apparatus on the streets of Minneapolis and other cities across the U.S. This is not simply a shambolic legal gambit, but an obvious attempt to divert attention away from the horrifying assault that has resulted in true violations of First Amendment rights of protesters and journalists, and the brutal killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti.
It's essential to support independent journalism like The Intercept, which is fighting back against this post-truth America. The Intercept needs your help to expand its reporting capacity in time to hit the ground running in 2026.
can't believe what's happening with our press freedom 
these two journalists, Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, were just doing their job reporting on a protest and now they're in jail? 
that's not right at all! the trump administration is just twisting laws to chill dissenting voices and silence journalists. it's like they think we don't deserve the freedom of the press anymore? 
news industry needs to step up and cover this story, expose the admin's motives, and support independent journalism orgs like The Intercept 
!! journalists are supposed to be able to report on whats going on and ask tough questions without being arrested or intimidated like they did with Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. its so chillin that theyre using a law meant for ppl who wanna get abortions to silence dissenting voices... news orgs gotta keep calling this out and support each other
. It's crazy that journalists are getting arrested for doing their job, you know? They're just trying to report on important events and give people a voice. I think it's disgusting how the Trump administration is using laws like the FACE Act to silence dissenting voices and chill free speech. We need more media outlets like The Intercept that can hold those in power accountable and fight against this kind of oppression.
. When we're able to speak freely and hold those in power accountable, that's when real change happens. So let's all do our part to support independent journalism and fight for what's right! 
I'm getting so sick of the gov't trying to silence the press 
. Like, what's next? Arresting people for asking questions on social media? 
This is a huge deal and we need to keep calling out this administration for their attacks on freedom of speech. The fact that they're using a law meant to protect people getting abortions to silence journalists is just ridiculous 
. We need more journalists like The Intercept 
I'm seriously worried about the state of press freedom in the US right now 
. Covering a protest or asking tough questions shouldn't be a crime, let alone a reason for arrest 
. This is a huge blow to the First Amendment and it's chilling for all of us who value a free press 
. We need to support independent journalists like The Intercept who are fighting back against this post-truth America 
. If we don't stand up for our right to know, who will? 
it's all about controlling the narrative and hiding the truth from us 
and meanwhile, innocent people are still being killed in this country 
like renee nicole good and alex pretti 
we need more support for independent journalists like the intercept 
. The FACE Act was meant to protect people seeking abortions, not to stifle press freedom. And what's with this nonsense about them trying to oppress and intimidate the pastor? That's just a load of BS 
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. So, let's all chip in and help them out – every little bit counts! 
. As parents, we want our kids to grow up with a strong sense of justice and a willingness to speak truth to power 
Can't believe what's happening here 
.
. It's absurd to suggest that journalists are interfering with access to a place of worship or obstructing someone's right to practice their faith 
. The Trump administration's actions are more about controlling the narrative and suppressing critical reporting 
.
but I gotta say, this whole thing with Don Lemon and Georgia Fort being arrested is super sus. like, I get that protests can be intense, but arresting journalists for doing their job? it's just not right 
. I mean, I've seen some sketchy stuff from the Trump admin, but this takes the cake (or should I say, the press freedom cupcake 
). it's like they're trying to silence people who are speaking out against injustice. and btw, what's up with the FACE Act being used to chill dissent? that law was meant for a specific purpose, not to stifle journalists 
) and say thanks for keeping us informed about this important story! 
we need to hold our leaders accountable and protect press freedom at all costs 
