The Trump administration's latest move is a disturbing example of how the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) has been weaponized against journalists. Two reporters, Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, were arrested after covering a protest at a Minneapolis-area church. This is not the first time that the administration has used this law to stifle press freedom.
The FACE Act was passed in 1994 with the intention of protecting reproductive health clinics and providers from violence and intimidation. However, its language is narrow, and courts have consistently ruled that it only applies to specific actions, such as restricting physical access to a clinic or causing fear of harm.
In this case, Lemon's crime was reporting on a protest in its entirety, including the organizing meeting and the subsequent event at the church. Fort's alleged "crime" was approaching the pastor, who also happens to work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with questions that made him feel uncomfortable or intimidated.
However, courts have found that covering protests and asking questions are not crimes under the FACE Act. The administration is using this law to chill dissent and silence journalists who report on public events.
This move is part of a broader pattern of attacks on press freedom by the Trump administration. Just last month, federal agents raided the home of a Washington Post reporter and seized her devices in an investigation into a leak. These actions are a clear threat to democracy and the First Amendment right of a free press.
The media must take notice of this attack and examine the motivations behind it. It is also essential that journalists who find themselves under fire, such as Fort, receive support and resources to defend themselves against baseless charges.
As one journalist noted, covering a protest isn't a crime, and asking questions isn't a violation of religious freedom. The media must continue to chronicle these abuses and hold the administration accountable for its actions.
The Intercept is fighting back, but it needs your help to expand its reporting capacity in 2026. Join us in supporting independent journalism that holds those in power accountable.
The FACE Act was passed in 1994 with the intention of protecting reproductive health clinics and providers from violence and intimidation. However, its language is narrow, and courts have consistently ruled that it only applies to specific actions, such as restricting physical access to a clinic or causing fear of harm.
In this case, Lemon's crime was reporting on a protest in its entirety, including the organizing meeting and the subsequent event at the church. Fort's alleged "crime" was approaching the pastor, who also happens to work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with questions that made him feel uncomfortable or intimidated.
However, courts have found that covering protests and asking questions are not crimes under the FACE Act. The administration is using this law to chill dissent and silence journalists who report on public events.
This move is part of a broader pattern of attacks on press freedom by the Trump administration. Just last month, federal agents raided the home of a Washington Post reporter and seized her devices in an investigation into a leak. These actions are a clear threat to democracy and the First Amendment right of a free press.
The media must take notice of this attack and examine the motivations behind it. It is also essential that journalists who find themselves under fire, such as Fort, receive support and resources to defend themselves against baseless charges.
As one journalist noted, covering a protest isn't a crime, and asking questions isn't a violation of religious freedom. The media must continue to chronicle these abuses and hold the administration accountable for its actions.
The Intercept is fighting back, but it needs your help to expand its reporting capacity in 2026. Join us in supporting independent journalism that holds those in power accountable.
can't believe what's happening to Don Lemon & Georgia Fort! 
They're just doing their job & reporting on a protest like any other journalist should. It's crazy that the admin is using this outdated law to stifle press freedom 
. I mean, what's next? Silencing all dissenting voices? 
The media needs to keep calling out these attacks & supporting journalists who are fighting back 
.
Those arrested should get a serious look into their "crimes". It sounds like they were just asking questions & reporting on public events – no crime there! 
The admin is trying to chill free speech, but we can't let them win 
. We need more journalists covering these types of stories & holding the powers that be accountable 
.
if The Intercept needs our help in expanding their reporting capacity, I'm all in! 
Independent journalism is crucial for a healthy democracy 
. We need to support it with donations, sharing their work, & spreading the word 
. Let's stand up for press freedom & protect our right to know what's going on in this country 
this whole thing just feels like another example of how much this admin hates dissenting voices. we need more journalists like the ones who got arrested to keep speaking truth to power 
! The Trump admin is seriously weaponizing the FACE Act against reporters who are just doing their job. This law was meant to protect clinics, not journalists covering protests 
. It's chill-ing dissent and silencing brave journalists like Fort 
. We need to stand with The Intercept & support independent journalism that keeps us informed 
don't they know that a free press is supposed to keep everyone in check? 
the fact that they're using the FACE Act like it's some kinda superpower to chill dissent and silence reporters is just wild 
and yeah, courts have already ruled against this kind of thing, but i guess the admin doesn't care about following the law 
we need more journalists like The Intercept speaking truth to power 
. Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were just doing their job, covering a protest and asking questions, but now they're being charged with crimes. This is a huge deal, folks! 
.
and also The Intercept needs our help to keep fighting against these attacks on press freedom 
. The Trump administration seems to be playing some dirty games with this FACE Act thingy, and it's getting old.
it's disgusting how the admin is trying to control what we can and can't report on 
newsflash, reporting the truth isn't a crime! 
so yeah, i'm definitely donating to the intercept in 2026 
and we need more people to join us in supporting independent journalism that holds those in power accountable 
. Like, I get that they want to protect people from violence and intimidation, but not at the cost of press freedom 
. But apparently, the admin thinks it is 
. We need to support independent journalism that's willing to take on these kinds of stories. The Intercept is doing some great work here 
, but they could use our help in 2026 
. Let's get behind them and keep holding those in power accountable 
We need more journalists like Don Lemon and Georgia Fort who aren't afraid to report on the tough stuff. And what's going on with the Intercept? Needing our help to expand their reporting capacity? Absolutely, I'll donate! 
this whole thing with Don Lemon and Georgia Fort is straight up harassment 
so yeah, gotta stand with the media on this one 
I mean, don't get me wrong, they do important stuff, but are we just gonna give 'em a blank check to keep poking around in Trump's business? 
Or maybe Trump's totally got them right where he wants 'em 
. All I know is that I'm kinda excited to see what happens next... or am I?