Mayor Bass Issues Statement Regarding Arrest of Renowned Journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort

LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass today issued the following statement:

"Don Lemon, an internationally known and renowned journalist and friend, was arrested last night by federal agents and is now in custody in Los Angeles - simply for doing his job and following a protest into a church in Minneapolis while reporting the story.

"Emmy-winning news producer and Minnesota-based journalist Georgia Fort - another widely respected Black journalist - was also arrested by federal agents in Minnesota for reporting on the same protest.

"The arrest of journalists for going into a church in the course of reporting is shocking enough, but what's even more alarming is that it's no secret that Don Lemon is a Trump critic.

"Let me be very clear - President Trump is not deescalating anything after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents. In fact, the arrest of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort demonstrates quite the opposite - he is escalating.

"First, Trump's agents shoot and kill people exercising their First Amendment rights, and now we're arresting journalists going into a church. It's an egregious assault on constitutionally protected First Amendment rights.

"I have reached out to the U.S. Attorney to check on Don Lemon's status."