1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, OR OF THE PRESS; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” As a former journalist, I am writing to express my outrage over the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort Thursday. The original arrest warrant requests were denied by two magistrate judges based on insufficient grounds. This Republican administration’s attorney general then stepped in and personally approved the warrants for the two journalists the administration sees as enemies. The executive branch of our government is now usurping the authority of the legislative AND judicial branches. With no negative consequences. This is a dangerous escalation in attacks on press freedom that demands immediate congressional intervention. Freedom of the press was included in the First Amendment because a free and independent press is vital to a functioning democracy. Reporting is not illegal. Congress has sworn duty to protect press freedom. My wife and I urge you to reclaim your authority, demand immediate Congressional hearings on these arrests, and demand the charges against Lemon and Fort be dropped. Press freedom is not negotiable.