They know they don't have a case against Don Lemon

[edhopper]

He is more than able to defend himself and the case will be thrown out.
But that's not why they did this.
It sends a message to all reporters that if you cover the protests, you can get arrested. And the journalist from small News outlets don't have the same resources, and neither do some of the News organizations they work for.
It's intimidation that they can make your life Hell if you cross us.

If they did this to a local reporter in Minneapolis, it might get a mention somewhere in the News, but a national known name gets the attention they want.

[Emile]

1. You are spot on. It's a message to the media.

Trump is running this country like a mafia godfather.

[Bengus81]

19. He's running this nation like Adolf Hitler and no one is going to change my mind

This is just another piece of the plan after he's had his SA murdering citizens in the street.

[sop]

2. Trump just breathed life back into Lemon's moribund career.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. And the other MO is to force Don Lemon to pay high legal fees

to his attorney and to challenge the prosecution, even if the charges are dismissed, or he's acquitted, or jury nullification.

[Volaris]

10. Yeah, but he also has (maybe) a countersuit for vindictive prosecution,

Since a magistrate judge already rejected this once, and Pam was apparently on record as being fucking pissed about that.

[RussBLib]

4. Case of harassment

That’s the only case they have.

[blm]

5. They want the headlines.

[C_U_L8R]

6. First they came for the immigrants...

Then they came for the journalists.

Sooner than later it will be me and you.

[Martin68]

7. It's an intimidation tactic.

[Blue Full Moon]

8. A very good question was asked

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220982630

[GoCubsGo]

9. Yes, it's political theater for his cult.

Not to mention an attempt to intimidate.

[Jack Valentino]

11. Indeed. It is simple legal and FINANCIAL harassment, when you consider the legal costs

of defending yourself from false charges brought by the Federal Government!


Even if the case is eventually dismissed, they will have "punished" this reporter financially,
just by bringing baseless charges against them---
and it will tend to intimidate others, which is likely the main goal here!


(Also, the case throws a bone to the radical christian portions of the GOP base---
who are disappointed with Trump results on banning abortion
in the other half of the country not controlled by radical anti-choice Republicans,
which he has shied away from trying to do!)

[LymphocyteLover]

12. The also arrested 3 local reporters. They are freaking EVIL

[UTUSN]

13. They ain't even hiding their abuse of power.

[crimycarny]

14. I think this will backfire in a huge way

This will make Don Lemon a martyr and may finally get journalists out of their stupor. Not because they care about reporting the news, but they are going to want some of the Don Lemon limelight. Don Lemon's career just got a major boost, IMO.

I guess we'll see....

[Jacson6]

15. As Soviet state prosecutors said in the Stalin era. Show me the man and I will show you his crimes.

[Jimvanhise]

16. THIS WAS TRIED BEFORE

Several years ago Amy Goodman of Democracy Now was arrested for covering a pipeline protest. A judge threw the case out. Pam Bondi is indeed the worst AG in the history of the United States.

[Bengus81]

20. Bondi is the most criminal,corrupt AG in the history of the US

[ToxMarz]

17. The pointlessness is the point

It's a feature, not a bug.

Their goal is hopelessness and surrender.

[popsdenver]

18. Agreed

It is Journalistic terrorism. They have already been leading the assault reporters for several years that had the audacity not to fall into lock step with their view points.....

The fact that 95+% of all media in the U.S. is owned/operated by UBER rich republicans, what else would you expect....

Freedom of Speech, etc. only applies to them........

WASF

[LetMyPeopleVote]

21. Statement from Abbe Lowell

Link to tweet

[camartinwv]

22. AND he is a sassy, black queer man and they hate him. I love Don Lemon.