Marjorie Taylor Greene defends former CNN host Don Lemon’s arrest, says ‘that’s not journalism’

Defending the federal government’s decision to arrest former CNN host Don Lemon, controversial ex‑Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on Friday said Lemon’s actions during an anti‑ICE protest were not protected press activity but crossed into “activism”.Greene’s remarks came during an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher, where she became one of the few public figures to openly support the indictment of Lemon, which has ignited fierce debate about press freedom and the First Amendment in the United States.

Why was Lemon arrested

Lemon, now an independent journalist, was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles and charged with civil rights violations, including conspiracy to deprive civil rights and interfering with religious freedom, in connection with his coverage of an anti‑Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, earlier this month.Prosecutors allege Lemon’s involvement went beyond reporting and amounted to participation in a protest that interfered with worshippers’ rights.On the panel, Maher questioned the justification for arresting a journalist for covering such an event, suggesting it may be an overreach.However, Greene countered vigorously, arguing that Lemon had violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a federal law intended to protect religious exercise at places of worship. “He went into a church, disrupted their worship and then later in an interview compared them to white supremacists,” Greene said, adding, “that’s not journalism, that’s activism.”

Greene went further to assert that Lemon’s presence alongside protestors amounted to harassment of churchgoers, even suggesting children present were upset during the incident, remarks that drew scepticism from other commentators.Her stance marks a rare moment of support for the Justice Department’s controversial prosecution in a case that has drawn widespread criticism from press freedom advocates and civil liberties groups, who warn the charges could suppress independent journalism.Lemon, released on a personal recognisance bond, has vowed to continue his reporting and defend his actions in court, saying the First Amendment protects his work.“The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless other journalists. I will not be silenced,” Lemon was quoted as saying by Fox News.