We're offering a 2-week trial of WrapPRO for $1. If you’ve been wanting to check out our full coverage, now’s the time. Greetings!This would start to feel routine if the implications for our democracy weren't so horrifying. The Trump administration crossed another line in its ever-escalating assault on the press after federal agents arrested independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the two, alongside two other protestors, had been charged under two federal statutes, one that protects against those trying to impede someone from practicing their constitutional rights, and another under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which prevents one from interfering with someone’s First Amendment right of religious freedom. The arrest is related to Lemon and Fort following a protest group that walked into a church and interrupted its congregation's service earlier this month. What's critical to note was that Lemon was commentating on the demonstration in real-time with his film crew, but not participating in the protest. You know, as a reporter does. As you can imagine, the reactions have been swift and harsh. Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta, who worked with Lemon for years, blasted the arrest as "outrageous" as he shared Lemon’s attorney’s statement on X. “The First Amendment is under attack in America!” Acosta said. “There is zero basis to arrest him and he should be freed immediately,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies wrote on X. “The Trump Justice Department is illegitimate and these extremists will all be held accountable for their crimes against the Constitution.” Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) wrote on X that Lemon’s arrest meant “the First Amendment is under its greatest threat since our founding.” His former employer, CNN, also weighed in: “The FBI’s arrest of our former CNN colleague Don Lemon raises profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment.” All of these people and organizations understand the simple fact that if you start weaponizing the government to go after journalists, you are eroding a key foundation of democracy. The stifling of critical voices just hastens the slide to authoritarianism. Remember, we're just two weeks removed from the FBI's search of a Washington Post reporter's home and seizure of laptops, phones and other devices — the last time I said Trump has crossed a dangerous line. In that newsletter intro, I had posed the question: If federal agents will storm into a journalist’s home and seize devices, can an arrest be far behind? Now we know the answer, and it's absolutely bone chilling. With that grim note, I hope you have a restful weekend. Roger Cheng 
I can't impress upon you the serious ramifications of Lemon's arrest... 
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