Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Arrest Of Journalist Don Lemon

Washington, D.C. - Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today spoke on the Senate floor slamming the Trump administration for the arrest of Don Lemon, calling it a dark message to journalists everywhere. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Last night, federal agents arrested journalist Don Lemon in Los Angeles after he recently covered protest activities in Minnesota.

Once again, the administration is behaving no differently from the police states and authoritarian regimes across history—they’ve arrested a journalist for the crime of doing his job.

And let’s be very clear—this arrest is not just about one journalist in one incident. The arrest is a dark message to journalists everywhere: if you dare criticize this administration, watch your back. That is not democracy. That is a police state and that is pure authoritarian bile. Democracy will suffer if the government chokes our civil liberties.

Under this administration, the Department of Justice has all too often become the Department of Vengeance.

Don Lemon should be released at once and the frivolous charges against him dropped.

###