I’m not surprised but I’ll admit I’m still stunned. 

I’m not surprised that the Trump administration went after a journalist.  After all, the President has called the news media “The enemy of the people.” He constantly attacks reporters at his rallies by calling those covering the event “fake news.” 

So, I’m not surprised that even after two magistrate judges denied the administration’s attempt to charge Don Lemon with violating the FACE act for reporting on a protest in a church, that Pam Bondi gave orders to have him arrested. 

However, I am stunned with how many people are OK with his arrest. I’m stunned that so many smart Americans can’t see what is going on and aren’t concerned and even outraged.

Because it’s not about Don Lemon and Minnesota podcaster Georgia Fort.  They’re just the latest victims of the MAGA attacks on the media.  It’s about the systematic attempts by this administration to intimidate reporters and their employers.  It’s about getting people to not believe their eyes and ears.  It’s the latest effort to neuter the free press and the First Amendment.  

Trump banned the Associated Press from his media availabilities because they refused to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.  There is virtually no legitimate media covering the Pentagon’s day-to- day activities because Pete Hegseth made reporters sign a pledge that they would only report on what he said they could. Trump has sued major and minor newspapers to intimidate them and stop them from publishing stories that put him in a bad light. 

The internet and social media have changed journalism and the way Americans consume their news.  Don Lemon is part of that change.  

But Don Lemon was formerly with CNN, a regular target of the president. Both he and Georgia Fort are people of color, another target of this administration.  Which begs the question…Is that why they were targeted? 

Because as I said, the internet and social media has changed journalism.  There are potential citizen journalists on every street corner.  

So what would have happened if Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were not there documenting the events, but rather some parishioners live streamed the event?  What if they took video and then sent it to CNN, FOX, MSNOW, or any of the over the air networks?  Would they be charged as well?  

Or are Lemon and Fort being singled out because they are convenient scapegoats.? They are high profile people that can be used as political tools to further Trump’s agenda against the media.  I believe they are being used to try to stop other reporters from doing their job, and rally Trump’s political base.

I’m not going to get into whether or not those protestors broke the law.  There’s a good chance they did violate the FACE act by trying to disrupt the service. The courts will have to decide that. 

But there is video of Lemon plainly saying that he was not a protestor.  He pointed out that he was there as a journalist.  He was not there to disrupt but rather to document the disruption.  It’s possible the work he did could be used to convict those protestors that have also been charged. 

As I said, two judges denied the Justice Department’s request to have them charged. Bondi did this unilaterally to please her boss. After his release the judge released them without posting bond. It appears the court’s see what is really happening.  

It is my firm belief that they will not be found guilty, or perhaps charges will be dropped when this story fades and the country’s attention turns to one of the other chaotic distractions this administration is famous for.

It is also my firm belief that if this war on the truth continues, we will not be able to survive as a free country.  People can no longer ignore what they see before their very eyes. Whether it be video of the violence on January 6th, masked agents refusing to offer medical aid to people they’ve shot, or a reporter clearly stating he was not a protestor.

The same First Amendment that gives those church goers the freedom to worship the way they choose, gives reporters the right to report on the actions of their pastor. 

I’m stunned more people don’t realize that.  

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.