US Reporters Jailed: Don Lemon and Georgia Fort Arrested
Common Cause 

(February 1, 2026) —I shouldn’t have to say this in America… but maybe these days I do.

Reporting the news isn’t a crime. Challenging the President isn’t a crime. Telling the truth isn’t a crime.

This morning, we woke up in a country where the First Amendment might not exist anymore – unless you and I are willing to fight for it.

Late last night, federal agents took journalist Don Lemon into custody (alongside independent Minneapolis journalist Georgia Fort this morning) – because of their constitutionally protected reporting on what’s happening in Minnesota. [1]

That’s after multiple judges rejected the Trump administration’s charges against Lemon – because all the evidence suggests he was reporting on the protest, not participating.

This isn’t their first attack on free speech. Kicking late night hosts off the air. Threatening news stations with lawsuits and revoked licenses. And sending armed agents to harass, arrest, and even violently assault peaceful protestors.

I if telling the truth is illegal now, we can’t call ourselves a free country. But we don’t have to let this happen.

Donald Trump and the extremists whispering in his ear are trying to radically change what our country is all about. But most Americans don’t agree, and we’re not going to give up our First Amendment without a fight.

So, while Common Cause evaluates our longer-term response to this extreme attack on free speech, I need your help to send a quick and immediate message that this cannot stand.

ACTION: Sign Justice for Don Lemon Petition Here.

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