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{
"title": "Photographer injured as federal agents use tear gas at LA-area protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photographer-injured-as-federal-agents-use-tear-gas-at-la-area-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-06-27T20:42:26.675534Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-09-08T13:22:15.514804Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-09-08T13:22:15.384938Z",
"date": "2025-06-07",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Paramount",
"longitude": -118.15979,
"latitude": 33.88946,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"vdfmg\">Photojournalist Jonathan Alcorn was struck with a tear gas canister after federal agents fired the crowd-control munition during an anti-deportation protest in Paramount, California, on June 7, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"5ul7e\"><a href=\"https://jalcornphoto.photoshelter.com/index\">Alcorn</a>, on assignment for Zuma Press, was covering one of the Los Angeles-area protests that <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\">began</a> June 6 in response to federal raids in and around the city at workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered. After demonstrators clashed with LA law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.</p><p data-block-key=\"bmnjg\">According to <a href=\"https://www.aclusocal.org/sites/default/files/lapressclubvnoem_complaint.pdf\">a complaint</a> filed in a federal court by the LA Press Club, the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America and others, Alcorn was wearing a press pass and carrying his camera gear while covering the suspected U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid of a Home Depot in Paramount on June 7.</p><p data-block-key=\"7q4cs\">Alcorn, who has been a photojournalist for nearly 40 years, immediately heard and saw U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents firing a large number of crowd-control munitions, including tear gas canisters, at protesters, the court document stated.</p><p data-block-key=\"ethgk\">Soon after, he was barraged by the munitions and took cover behind an SUV.</p><p data-block-key=\"8bm59\">“When he peeked above the SUV, Mr. Alcorn was targeted by CBP officers, who fired tear gas canisters that rolled under the vehicle,” according to the complaint. “Officers were targeting him because he was the only person behind the vehicle.”</p><p data-block-key=\"aolar\">While fleeing the area due to the intensity of the gas, a federal agent shot Alcorn near his elbow. He was later diagnosed with a hematoma and burn on his arm, added the complaint.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-aligned_image\"><figure class=\"inline-media right\">\n \n\n\n<img src=\"https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Screenshot_2025-06-27_at_1.32.44PM.width-828.png\" width=\"318\" height=\"239\" alt=\"SCREENSHOT\">\n\n \n <figcaption class=\"inline-media__caption\">\n\t\t\t<p data-block-key=\"rxlhx\">An image from court records shows injuries suffered by photographer Jonathan Alcorn. He was struck by a tear gas canister shot at the car he was taking shelter behind while covering a protest in Paramount, California.</p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"media-attribution\"\n\t\t\t\t> — SCREENSHOT\n\t\t\t\t</span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t</figcaption>\n \n</figure>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"vdfmg\">“Despite his injury, Alcorn continued taking pictures because he believed it was important to cover the unfolding events,” the document stated, before alleging he was targeted by an agent because he was a clearly identifiable photojournalist.</p><p data-block-key=\"420vt\">“Even though he posed no threat to officers, they nonetheless shot multiple tear gas canisters at him,” the complaint said. “Although he is afraid of again being targeted and injured by federal officials, Mr. Alcorn will continue to cover what is happening in Los Angeles.”</p><p data-block-key=\"20bdi\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots,” and added that President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem “are committed to restoring law and order.”</p><p data-block-key=\"eefv8\">When contacted by the Tracker, Alcorn declined to comment about his experience. But in a comment posted to the social platform Facebook, he confirmed he was struck in the arm while fleeing federal agents firing off crowd-control munitions.</p><p data-block-key=\"ego6s\">“I’m a little sore but fine otherwise. Numerous other journalists have been struck as well,” he wrote. “Be safe my fellow journalists and everybody else out on the streets. Times have changed out in the field for journalists in the states.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/504284613_10231491800612739_90637.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"6cuqu\">Law enforcement personnel fire crowd-control munitions during an immigration protest on June 7, 2025, in Paramount, California. Photojournalist Jonathan Alcorn was struck and injured by a tear gas canister while covering the demonstration.</p>",
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"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"immigration",
"protest",
"shot / shot at"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jonathan Alcorn (Zuma Press)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
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},
{
"title": "Reporter struck with pepper ball by federal officers at LA protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-struck-with-pepper-ball-by-federal-officers-at-la-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-07-02T20:35:00.645401Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-09-11T19:50:01.141987Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-09-11T19:50:00.971384Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"xrx3h\">Ryanne Mena, a reporter for the Los Angeles Daily News, was shot by federal officers with a pepper ball while documenting anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"bus4c\">A series of protests <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\">began</a> that day in response to federal raids in and around LA of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. After demonstrators clashed with local law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.</p><p data-block-key=\"7marb\">Mena told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that she and independent journalist Sean Beckner-Carmitchel had covered the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the fashion district downtown and the resulting protests.</p><p data-block-key=\"a9bcq\">She said that by 6 p.m., protesters had made their way to the Metropolitan Detention Center, where detainees were being held. Mena said that the protest was growing but the majority of demonstrators were doing so peacefully, until an individual threw a desk chair toward an entrance to the MDC.</p><p data-block-key=\"6g8dm\">“Moments later, federal agents came out and began shooting pepper ball bullets at the crowd,” she told the Tracker. “Once I heard that going off, I backed up because I didn’t want to get hit.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1pr29\">As she tried to find somewhere safe to continue reporting, Mena said she was <a href=\"https://x.com/ryannemena/status/1931396162726314106\">shot on her left upper thigh</a> with one of the crowd-control munitions.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-aligned_image\"><figure class=\"inline-media right\">\n \n\n\n<img src=\"https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Mena_assault_66_bruise.width-828.jpg\" width=\"828\" height=\"520\" alt=\"COURTESY RYANNE MENA\">\n\n \n <figcaption class=\"inline-media__caption\">\n\t\t\t<p data-block-key=\"fmy84\">Los Angeles Daily News reporter Ryanne Mena was shot by federal officers with a pepper ball while covering anti-deportation protests in downtown LA on June 6, 2025. The impact left a large bruise on her upper left thigh.</p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"media-attribution\"\n\t\t\t\t> — COURTESY RYANNE MENA\n\t\t\t\t</span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t</figcaption>\n \n</figure>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"xrx3h\">“I screamed out profanity because it really hurt,” Mena said. “After being hit with that pepper ball bullet, I called my editor and notified her about what happened and continued on.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1t13l\">She said that she was wearing two press credentials — one issued by her news outlet and one by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department — and was carrying a notebook and pen.</p><p data-block-key=\"67d0p\">“It was very clear what I was doing there,” Mena added.</p><p data-block-key=\"2a2bc\">She told the Tracker that the following day, following an ICE raid at a Home Depot in nearby Paramount, she was shot again by federal agents while covering protests, <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-struck-in-head-with-munition-by-federal-officers-at-la-protest\">struck in the head with a rubber bullet</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"6oqg0\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots,” and added, “President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring law and order in Los Angeles.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Mena_66_assault.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"xnsc8\">Los Angeles Daily News reporter Ryanne Mena photographed the chemical residue left on her pants after federal officers shot her with a pepper ball while she was covering anti-deportation protests in downtown LA on June 6, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": "2:25-cv-05563",
"case_type": "CIVIL",
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
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"assailant": "law enforcement",
"was_journalist_targeted": "yes",
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"links": [],
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"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [
"(2025-06-18 04:00:00+00:00) LA journalist sues DHS over protest assault"
],
"case_statuses": [
"ongoing"
],
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"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"immigration",
"protest",
"shot / shot at"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Ryanne Mena ([Los Angeles] Daily News)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Student journalist pepper-sprayed at LA immigration protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-pepper-sprayed-at-la-immigration-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-08-05T19:43:43.934427Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-08-27T21:56:11.143428Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-08-27T21:56:10.981950Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"kui15\">Jake Crandall, a student photojournalist for Santa Monica College’s The Corsair, was pepper-sprayed by a federal officer while documenting an anti-deportation protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"2r2a2\">It was the first of a series of <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\">protests</a> in response to federal raids of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered in and around LA, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. After demonstrators clashed with local law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines, despite objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.</p><p data-block-key=\"5evg3\">Crandall told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that two groups of demonstrators initially gathered separately, one outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, the other near the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, just a short distance away. The groups eventually converged, and tensions with Department of Homeland Security officers began to rise. On the side facing the detention center, people began vandalizing a toll booth at a nearby parking structure. In response, DHS officers fired crowd-control munitions.</p><p data-block-key=\"6oes2\">As Crandall photographed the scene, a DHS officer pepper-sprayed him and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photojournalist-pepper-sprayed-by-federal-agent-at-la-immigration-protest/\">another photojournalist</a>, hitting them directly. He captured the moment with his camera and continued working. At the time, Crandall was clearly identified as a member of the press, wearing a hat and displaying a badge and patch on his backpack.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-aligned_image\"><figure class=\"inline-media left\">\n \n\n\n<img src=\"https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/9E5AA5EA-B30E-45E3-87C0-B9FF3AAE838B.width-828.jpg\" width=\"828\" height=\"1242\" alt=\"COURTESY JAKE CRANDALL\">\n\n \n <figcaption class=\"inline-media__caption\">\n\t\t\t<p data-block-key=\"hdny8\">Jake Crandall pictured while photographing the anti-deportation protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"media-attribution\"\n\t\t\t\t> — COURTESY JAKE CRANDALL\n\t\t\t\t</span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t</figcaption>\n \n</figure>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"kui15\">Later, Crandall was accidentally sprayed a second time — this time by someone using bear mace. He said the individual was aiming at law enforcement officers behind him, and Crandall was caught in the crossfire. That blast, he recalled, was the most painful he experienced all day.</p><p data-block-key=\"979er\">Shortly afterward, Crandall was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-hit-by-pepper-ball-at-la-immigration-protest/\">hit</a> by a pepper ball, which was likely fired by law enforcement. It’s unclear whether he was deliberately targeted in that instance. In the days that followed, Crandall was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-detained-hit-by-crowd-control-rounds-at-la-protest/\">detained by police</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-struck-by-crowd-control-munitions-amid-compton-protest/\">struck by a stinger grenade</a>, a device that releases rubber pellets.</p><p data-block-key=\"2q85a\">“I definitely feel like I’m a target when I’m out there — on both sides of things now — and it is very concerning,” he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"froju\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots” and added that President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem “are committed to restoring law and order.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/IMG_3512.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"u3k18\">Federal officers equipped themselves with crowd-control devices during an anti-deportation protest in Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025. Student photojournalist Jake Crandall was pepper-sprayed by a federal officer while documenting the event.</p>",
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"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"immigration",
"protest",
"student journalism"
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
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"Jake Crandall (The [Santa Monica College] Corsair)"
],
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},
{
"title": "Flash bang strikes TV crew at LA immigration protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/flash-bang-strikes-tv-crew-at-la-immigration-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-06-16T20:16:14.959328Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-07-29T19:09:15.314673Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-07-29T19:09:15.139219Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"0miss\">KTLA photographer Ken Koller was struck with a flash-bang grenade while covering an immigration enforcement protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"124vb\">It was the start of numerous protests in response to federal raids in and around LA of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. After demonstrators clashed with local law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.</p><p data-block-key=\"98dun\">Koller told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was documenting a protest that followed a federal raid on a downtown garment factory. Chaos ensued when demonstrators surrounded a convoy of federal officers leaving the area.</p><p data-block-key=\"ajuhq\">The officers “just started throwing flash bangs out windows, and everybody went scattering,” he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"e049b\">Wearing his press badge, Koller stood in the crowd, capturing the scene with his cellphone instead of a traditional broadcast camera, a choice he said gives him more situational awareness during intense encounters.</p><p data-block-key=\"8ljq7\">Amid the commotion, Koller noticed a flash-bang grenade being tossed from a federal vehicle and rolling toward him and a bystander. He instinctively threw himself over the woman to shield her from the blast, Koller said.</p><p data-block-key=\"chr27\">“The shock wave from the explosion basically hit me like a punch,” he later wrote on <a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/ken.koller.3/posts/pfbid0mC5iDDg81t4eyLSBN2VurjDY3vCirGVPr7N6R17K4r4ASFJ3XuZwedW3AWPuSJ57l\">Facebook</a>. Koller told the Tracker that he instantly felt pain in his ear, which developed swelling but suffered no permanent damage.</p><p data-block-key=\"bhbbt\">He said he used to believe that law enforcement would avoid targeting members of the press, but he no longer feels confident that officers will distinguish between journalists and protesters.</p><p data-block-key=\"1loe0\">Still, he says it’s a risk he’s willing to take, not just for the public but to ensure accountability on all sides.</p><p data-block-key=\"84f4a\">“If there’s nobody there to document it, nobody knows what really happened,” he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"33l85\"><i>Editor’s Note: This report has been updated to include comments from Ken Koller.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
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"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"4iqjc\">Department of Homeland Security police after a federal immigration operation on June 6, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. KTLA photographer Ken Koller said he got hit by a flash bang that day while covering a protest over the operation.</p>",
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"assailant": "law enforcement",
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"state": {
"name": "California",
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"tags": [
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"protest"
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"categories": [
"Assault"
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{
"title": "Photojournalist pepper-sprayed by federal agent at LA immigration protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photojournalist-pepper-sprayed-by-federal-agent-at-la-immigration-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-08-26T17:27:37.987233Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-08-27T22:01:29.618582Z",
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"longitude": -118.24368,
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ghuzk\">A freelance photographer was pepper-sprayed by a federal agent while covering an immigration enforcement protest in downtown Los Angeles on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"bce2l\">It was one of many protests that <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\">began</a> June 6 in response to federal raids in and around LA of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. After demonstrators clashed with LA law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.</p><p data-block-key=\"493i8\">The photographer, who asked not to be named due to concerns about legal trouble when traveling abroad, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was clearly identified as a journalist while covering the protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center.</p><p data-block-key=\"ffplc\">While photographing demonstrators, a Department of Homeland Security agent pepper-sprayed both him and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-pepper-sprayed-at-la-immigration-protest/\">another photographer.</a> </p><p data-block-key=\"6k3uv\">“I think they were deliberately targeting journalists,” he told the Tracker. “They knew we were press, and they fired their pepper spray.”</p><p data-block-key=\"67l9p\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker on June 11, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots,” and added that Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem “are committed to restoring law and order.”</p><p data-block-key=\"b1oud\"><a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/photojournalist-struck-in-face-by-crowd-control-munition-at-la-area-protest/\">On June 7,</a> while covering a protest in Compton, the photographer was struck in the leg and face by impact projectiles fired by the LA County Sheriff’s Department. He sustained a hematoma in one eye and required stitches in his left temple.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Gs0H37pbAAAiQFa.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"8eckr\">Department of Homeland Security police line up during an immigration protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025. A freelance photojournalist was pepper-sprayed while documenting the event.</p>",
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"name": "California",
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"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"immigration",
"protest"
],
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"categories": [
"Assault"
],
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"Anonymous photojournalist 8 (Freelance)"
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{
"title": "Freelance journalist shot with crowd-control munitions at LA protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/freelance-journalist-shot-with-crowd-control-munitions-at-la-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-07-28T19:34:40.054891Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-07-28T19:34:40.054891Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-07-28T19:26:32.597897Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
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"city": "Los Angeles",
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ypxcr\">Freelance journalist Abraham Márquez was shot in the ankle with crowd-control munitions by law enforcement while documenting anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"e24ul\">A series of protests<a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\"> began</a> that day in response to federal raids in and around LA of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. After demonstrators clashed with local law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.</p><p data-block-key=\"c60bp\">Márquez told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that multiple news conferences were taking place at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown LA. Protesters had gathered outside in opposition to the detainments that day, and federal officers began responding to the crowd with force.</p><p data-block-key=\"f4n96\">“I think it was the officers that protect that federal building, and they were shooting at protesters,” he said. “They’re supposed to shoot at the ground, and they did, but they hit my ankle.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7rp4f\">Márquez said <a href=\"https://x.com/abemarquez3/status/1931161690093363261\">he also captured</a> the moment another individual wearing press credentials and markings was struck in the upper body with multiple pepper balls.</p><p data-block-key=\"5dg5v\">In the footage, posted on the social platform X that evening, Márquez is heard saying moments after the other journalist is struck, “I just got hit,” as he pulls down the sock on his left foot to show the white powder residue visible on his ankle.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Officers started shooting at protesters with rubber bullets. I was hit on the ankle <a href=\"https://t.co/wb3JS8nESL\">pic.twitter.com/wb3JS8nESL</a></p>— Abraham Márquez (@abemarquez3) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/abemarquez3/status/1931161690093363261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 7, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"ypxcr\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots,” and added that President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem “are committed to restoring law and order.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"d2vmd\">Protesters gather at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles following an immigration enforcement operation on June 6, 2025. Freelance journalist Abraham Márquez was struck in the ankle with a crowd-control munition while covering the demonstration.</p>",
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"name": "California",
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"immigration",
"protest",
"shot / shot at"
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"categories": [
"Assault"
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{
"title": "Florida newspaper receives cease and desist letter from state agency",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/florida-newspaper-receives-cease-and-desist-letter-from-state-agency/",
"first_published_at": "2025-07-23T15:21:12.360432Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-07-23T15:21:12.360432Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-07-23T15:21:12.276085Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Orlando",
"longitude": -81.37924,
"latitude": 28.53834,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"lgmbe\">The Orlando Sentinel received a cease and desist order from a Florida state agency on June 6, 2025, over journalist Jeffrey Schweers’ reporting on a welfare assistance program overseen by first lady Casey DeSantis.</p><p data-block-key=\"4urav\">The program, Hope Florida, is the subject of a Florida House of Representatives investigation involving funding irregularities, <a href=\"https://archive.ph/cGb9Y\">according to the Sentinel</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"b7tru\">The state’s Department of Children and Families <a href=\"https://x.com/MyFLFamilies/status/1931026303047684539\">posted</a> the order on social platform X, alleging a reporter for the Sentinel tried to threaten or coerce foster families into criticizing the foundation.</p><p data-block-key=\"5rbo7\">“Reporter Jeff Schweers has been contacting Florida foster families and both falsely and with malicious intent asserting that the families are implicated in fraudulent activity by accepting financial assistance from Hope Florida Foundation,” the letter stated.</p><p data-block-key=\"5ifsg\">The social media message was <a href=\"https://x.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1931031721706688920\">reposted</a> by Gov. Ron DeSantis on his official X account with the comment, “Bottom feeders gonna bottom feed…”</p><p data-block-key=\"e2k39\">Sentinel Executive Editor Roger Simmons defended the paper in a statement shared with the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, writing, “We stand by our stories and reject the state’s attempt to chill free speech and encroach on our First Amendment right to report on an important issue.”</p><p data-block-key=\"12lg0\">A Sentinel <a href=\"https://archive.ph/nTU3e#selection-1397.4-1397.83\">editorial</a> about the incident said that the DeSantis administration has been hostile toward the press but called the letter “a new low” and said it was the first time it had heard of the state government trying to shut down reporting for a story.</p><p data-block-key=\"8m93g\">“Schweers is a reporter, and he is doing what all of our reporters do — he’s looking for facts. But at no point did Schweers attempt any of the deeds ascribed to him in the letter, and he certainly hasn’t harassed or threatened any of Florida’s foster families,” the editorial wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"7vt8s\">First Amendment attorney Larry Walters told the <a href=\"https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/state/2025/06/10/reporting-on-desantis-hope-florida-triggers-clash-over-press-freedom/84114090007/\">Tallahassee Democrat</a> that the letter “appears to be designed to instill a chilling effect on the reporter’s investigation.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9n2vh\">PEN America also <a href=\"https://pen.org/press-release/cease-and-desist-letter-sent-to-orlando-sentinel-newspaper-by-state-agency-is-unconstitutional-prior-restraint-says-pen-america/\">weighed in</a> on the incident. “This is a textbook case of prior restraint: an unconstitutional attempt by the state of Florida to stop news reporting before a story is published,” said its journalism program director, Tim Richardson.</p><p data-block-key=\"c3qpn\">It <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?search=desantis\">isn’t the first time</a> the DeSantis administration has been accused of violating press freedoms. In October, state officials <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/florida-broadcasters-threatened-with-criminal-charges-by-state-agency/\">sent cease and desist letters</a> to local TV stations threatening to criminally prosecute them over the airing of an abortion rights ad.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Orlando.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"sqn23\">A portion of the cease and desist letter addressed to the Orlando Sentinel by a Florida state agency on June 6, 2025. The notice targets the paper’s reporting on a statewide welfare assistance program overseen by Florida’s first lady.</p>",
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{
"title": "Journalist shot in the face with pepper balls by federal officers",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-shot-in-the-face-with-pepper-balls-by-federal-officers/",
"first_published_at": "2025-06-24T19:54:53.053788Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-06-24T19:54:53.053788Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-06-24T19:50:52.883218Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"6zusf\">Independent journalist Anthony Cabassa was shot twice in the face with pepper balls by federal law enforcement agents while documenting anti-deportation protests in Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"bac8t\">The protests <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\">began</a> that day in response to federal raids in and around LA of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. Demonstrators clashed with both local law enforcement officers and federal agents.</p><p data-block-key=\"9vjab\">Cabassa <a href=\"https://x.com/AnthonyCabassa_/status/1931159815947985222\">posted</a> at around 6:30 p.m. on the social platform X that he had been struck near his left eye with a crowd-control munition containing a chemical irritant. “I’m also bleeding,” he added. “Things got violent.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I just got a police tear gas pellet straight into my left eye . I’m also bleeding. Things got violent. Video to come <a href=\"https://t.co/qIWKhIoOpi\">pic.twitter.com/qIWKhIoOpi</a></p>— Anthony (@AnthonyCabassa_) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/AnthonyCabassa_/status/1931159815947985222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 7, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"6zusf\">The following morning, Cabassa <a href=\"https://x.com/AnthonyCabassa_/status/1931354604429771209\">posted the footage</a> he captured before he was shot by Department of Homeland Security officers. He wrote that he was caught in the crossfire after something was thrown at the agents, noting that two pepper balls struck him in the face.</p><p data-block-key=\"346er\">Cabassa, who did not respond to requests for comment, emphasized in a <a href=\"https://x.com/AnthonyCabassa_/status/1931398124687552660\">later post</a> that he was only present to cover the protests.</p><p data-block-key=\"ml1\">“I am a journalist, I have been documenting protests in LA since 2017. I had a tripod with one camera in my left hand, and another camera recording on my right,” he wrote. “All I was doing was filming. Journalism is not a crime.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1rus9\">In an emailed statement to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker on June 11, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, wrote: “We remind members of the media and journalists to exercise caution as they cover these violent riots. We have seen rioters throwing rocks, Molotov cocktails, setting fires, and other violent acts. President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring law and order in Los Angeles.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"uazpx\">Protesters gather at the Federal Building in LA on June 6, 2025, after immigration raids at workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gather. Federal officers shot journalist Anthony Cabassa in the face with pepper balls amid the demonstrations.</p>",
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"immigration",
"protest",
"shot / shot at"
],
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"Assault"
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},
{
"title": "Journalist shot with pepper balls by federal officers at LA protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-shot-with-pepper-balls-by-federal-officers-at-la-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-07-11T17:23:50.680217Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-07-11T17:23:50.680217Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-07-11T14:52:54.767532Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"7eoat\">Freelance journalist Sean Beckner-Carmitchel was shot with pepper balls and pepper-sprayed by federal officers while documenting anti-deportation protests in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"d6tb3\">A series of protests <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\">began</a> that day in response to federal raids in and around LA of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered, amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. After demonstrators clashed with local law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines over the objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.</p><p data-block-key=\"e0j8t\">Beckner-Carmitchel told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he was on assignment for Los Angeles Public Press covering Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and the protests that followed in the neighborhoods of <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/acatwithnews.bsky.social/post/3lqxfu3z5r222\">Westlake</a> and the <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/acatwithnews.bsky.social/post/3lqxoefupvk2p\">Fashion District</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"4dotu\">After <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/acatwithnews.bsky.social/post/3lqxzv5xmuk2f\">protesters</a> and the <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/acatwithnews.bsky.social/post/3lqxv2c452s2g\">family members of the detained</a> gathered at the Metropolitan Detention Center downtown, demonstrators’ standoff with federal officers escalated and agents with the Department of Homeland Security began deploying crowd-control munitions.</p><p data-block-key=\"b0c30\">“Lots of stun grenades, pepper balls, chemical munitions. Rocks, chairs, water bottles in return,” Beckner-Carmitchel <a href=\"https://bsky.app/profile/acatwithnews.bsky.social/post/3lqycidrchs23\">wrote</a> on the social platform Bluesky.</p><p data-block-key=\"87df0\">He told the Tracker that he and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2025-06-06&date_upper=2025-06-06\">other members of the press</a> were caught in the crossfire, if not deliberately targeted.</p><p data-block-key=\"8d02o\">“Myself and pretty much every journalist were hit with OC spray, pepper balls and, again, the tear gas,” Beckner-Carmitchel said, referring to a type of pepper spray, along with other chemical irritants. He specified that he was hit with multiple pepper balls and pepper-sprayed in the face.</p><p data-block-key=\"ev5g2\">While covering demonstrations <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2025-06-06&date_upper=2025-06-14&targeted_journalists=Sean+Beckner-Carmitchel\">over subsequent days</a>, Beckner-Carmitchel was shot with other crowd-control munitions, shoved by law enforcement and exposed to chemical irritants.</p><p data-block-key=\"9kuve\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots,” and added, “President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to restoring law and order in Los Angeles.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"fbk2n\">Freelancer Sean Beckner-Carmitchel was struck with pepper balls and pepper-sprayed by federal officers while documenting a standoff with anti-deportation protesters outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles on June 6, 2025.</p>",
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"assailant": "law enforcement",
"was_journalist_targeted": "unknown",
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"state": {
"name": "California",
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},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"immigration",
"protest",
"shot / shot at"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Sean Beckner-Carmitchel (Los Angeles Public Press)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Student journalist hit by pepper ball at LA immigration protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-hit-by-pepper-ball-at-la-immigration-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-08-05T19:57:58.720984Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-08-05T21:58:39.732405Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-08-05T21:58:39.644360Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"g21ii\">Jake Crandall, a student photojournalist for Santa Monica College’s The Corsair, was struck with a pepper ball while documenting an anti-deportation protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"cde8s\">It was the first of a series of <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\">protests</a> in response to federal raids of workplaces and areas where immigrant day laborers gathered in and around LA , amid the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown. After demonstrators clashed with local law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump called in the California National Guard and then the U.S. Marines, despite objections from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass.</p><p data-block-key=\"ao786\">Crandall told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that two groups of demonstrators initially gathered separately, one outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, the other near the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, just a short distance away. The groups eventually converged, and tensions with Department of Homeland Security officers began to rise. On the side facing the detention center, people began vandalizing a toll booth at a nearby parking structure. In response, DHS officers fired crowd-control munitions.</p><p data-block-key=\"69eiu\">Crandall was clearly identified as a member of the press, wearing a hat and displaying a badge and patch on his backpack, when he was hit by a pepper ball, which likely came from law enforcement and left a mark on his pants. It’s unclear whether he was deliberately targeted in that instance.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-aligned_image\"><figure class=\"inline-media left\">\n \n\n\n<img src=\"https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/9E5AA5EA-B30E-45E3-87C0-B9FF3AAE838B.width-828.jpg\" width=\"828\" height=\"1242\" alt=\"COURTESY JAKE CRANDALL\">\n\n \n <figcaption class=\"inline-media__caption\">\n\t\t\t<p data-block-key=\"w3l01\">Jake Crandall pictured while photographing the anti-deportation protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<span\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"media-attribution\"\n\t\t\t\t> — COURTESY JAKE CRANDALL\n\t\t\t\t</span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t</figcaption>\n \n</figure>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"g21ii\">Earlier in the day, he was <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-pepper-sprayed-at-la-immigration-protest/\">pepper-sprayed</a> by a federal officer while photographing the scene.</p><p data-block-key=\"2s3c8\">Crandall was also accidentally pepper-sprayed by someone using bear mace. He said the individual was aiming at law enforcement officers behind him, and Crandall was caught in the crossfire. That blast, he recalled, was the most painful he experienced all day.</p><p data-block-key=\"4epgu\">In the days that followed, Crandall would also be <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-detained-hit-by-crowd-control-rounds-at-la-protest/\">detained by police</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/student-journalist-struck-by-crowd-control-munitions-amid-compton-protest/\">struck by a stinger grenade</a>, a device that releases rubber pellets.</p><p data-block-key=\"39sng\">“I definitely feel like I’m a target when I’m out there — on both sides of things now — and it is very concerning,” he said.</p><p data-block-key=\"2aimk\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots” and added that President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem “are committed to restoring law and order.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Lindenfeld_-_Crandall.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"vv6w1\">Federal officers gather at an anti-deportation protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025. Student photojournalist Jake Crandall was struck with a pepper ball while documenting the demonstration.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "law enforcement",
"was_journalist_targeted": "unknown",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"immigration",
"protest",
"student journalism"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jake Crandall (The [Santa Monica College] Corsair)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Journalist hit with pepper balls, tear gas while covering LA protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-hit-with-pepper-balls-tear-gas-while-covering-la-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-07-03T17:10:20.540898Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-07-16T13:44:58.176012Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-07-16T13:44:58.089145Z",
"date": "2025-06-06",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"c01vf\">Jeremy Lindenfeld, a journalist reporting for news nonprofit Capital & Main, was struck by multiple pepper balls and exposed to tear gas while covering a protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"4vqur\">The protest was part of a wave of demonstrations that <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/us/la-protests-national-guard-trump.html\">began</a> that day, following federal immigration raids across the LA area amid a larger immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. After demonstrators clashed with LA law enforcement officers and federal agents, President Donald Trump deployed the California National Guard and U.S. Marines, despite objections from state and local officials.</p><p data-block-key=\"6epqg\">Lindenfeld, who was wearing press identifiers at the time, said the air was thick with tear gas as Department of Homeland Security police advanced on demonstrators.</p><p data-block-key=\"4cauo\">“It was an incredibly chaotic scene,” Lindenfeld told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. “The law enforcement agencies that have been out there interfacing with protesters and press have done very little in the way of discerning proper use of force.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5ugt0\">Lindenfeld said he was reporting on the protest near the Metropolitan Detention Center when federal law enforcement deployed the pepper balls indiscriminately into the crowd, striking him and others.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">DHS in downtown Los Angeles is deploying flash bangs, tear-gas and pepper balls against anti-ICE protesters and anyone else in the crowd including press. <a href=\"https://t.co/wPK7MuIBfP\">https://t.co/wPK7MuIBfP</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/83Yyyas6KD\">pic.twitter.com/83Yyyas6KD</a></p>— Jeremy Lindenfeld (@jeremotographs) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/jeremotographs/status/1931177602104066365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 7, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"c01vf\">He continued reporting at multiple protests in the days that followed, getting hit by a canister <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-struck-by-projectile-while-covering-la-area-protest/\">on June 7</a> and struck in the abdomen by a foam baton round <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-hit-by-foam-round-while-covering-la-immigration-protest/\">on June 9.</a></p><p data-block-key=\"a2jau\">In a statement emailed to the Tracker, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin urged journalists to be cautious while covering what she characterized as “violent riots,” and added that President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem “are committed to restoring law and order.”</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Lindenfeld.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880_nOVTgiX.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"l05mf\">Department of Homeland Security police clash with protesters during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 2025. Journalist Jeremy Lindenfeld was hit with pepper balls and tear gas while covering the protest that day.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "law enforcement",
"was_journalist_targeted": "no",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"chemical irritant",
"immigration",
"protest",
"shot / shot at"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jeremy Lindenfeld (Capital & Main)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Egyptian former journalist jailed in Ohio after U.S. revokes asylum",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/egyptian-former-journalist-jailed-in-ohio-after-us-revokes-asylum/",
"first_published_at": "2025-07-30T20:16:02.936289Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-09-11T20:50:10.196216Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-09-11T20:50:10.086088Z",
"date": "2025-06-03",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Hamilton",
"longitude": -84.56134,
"latitude": 39.3995,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"8cwhi\">Former journalist Ayman Soliman, who was granted asylum in the United States after being persecuted in Egypt for his work as a field producer during the Arab Spring uprising there, was jailed in Hamilton, Ohio, weeks after his asylum was revoked on June 3, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"643uu\">Soliman began his journalism career documenting student protests in Egypt and was jailed, beaten and tortured by the Egyptian authorities as a result, according to Marium Uddin, legal director at the Muslim Legal Fund of America, who is part of his legal team. He fled to the United States in 2014 and applied for asylum, which was granted in 2018.</p><p data-block-key=\"9up89\">In early 2021, Soliman was hired as a prison chaplain in Oregon, but a background check revealed that the FBI had flagged his profile without explanation, The Associated Press <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cincinnati-protest-arrests-soliman-chaplain-861006bcd5f723f02d024809363927e0\">reported</a>. The job offer was then rescinded.</p><p data-block-key=\"3fp5q\">In response, Soliman <a href=\"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/62331173/1/soliman-v-mayorkas/\">sued</a> the heads of the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the Terrorist Screening Center, as well as then-Attorney General Merrick Garland, for violations of due process and the Privacy Act, arguing that an FBI flag and various designations on his boarding passes when traveling indicated that he had been included in the Terrorist Screening Database.</p><p data-block-key=\"4uiph\">A November 2024 court ruling dismissed most of his suit but allowed a due process violation claim to proceed. The next month, Soliman received a letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services <a href=\"https://mlfa.org/local-chaplain-detained-by-ice-after-asylum-revoked-amid-decade-long-immigration-battle/\">notifying</a> him that the agency was considering revoking his asylum status.</p><p data-block-key=\"enhrj\">In June 2025, Soliman’s asylum was <a href=\"https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/cincinnati-childrens-chaplain-previously-granted-asylum-detained-by-ice-local-organization-says\">officially revoked</a> and, on July 9, at the first Immigration and Customs Enforcement check-in he was required to attend, his lawyers said he was <a href=\"https://mlfa.org/local-chaplain-detained-by-ice-after-asylum-revoked-amid-decade-long-immigration-battle/\">detained</a> and put in Butler County jail.</p><p data-block-key=\"chfm1\">The government claims that Soliman served on the board of a nongovernmental organization that provides support to the Muslim Brotherhood, WCPO-TV <a href=\"https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/why-was-ayman-solimans-asylum-status-revoked-attorneys-for-cincinnati-chaplain-provide-more-details\">reported</a>. Soliman’s lawyers told the outlet that the government knew about the board membership when it granted asylum but that last year, an asylum officer newly labeled both the NGO and the Muslim Brotherhood as <a href=\"https://www.uscis.gov/laws-and-policy/other-resources/terrorism-related-inadmissibility-grounds-trig\">terrorist organizations</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"amd6e\">The lawyers claim the government did so to retaliate against Soliman for his lawsuit, relying only on the asylum officer’s new interpretations rather than the persecution he experienced in Egypt, another of Soliman’s attorneys, Robert Ratliff, told WCPO-TV.</p><p data-block-key=\"csfb3\">Those interpretations, the Ohio Immigrant Alliance <a href=\"https://ohioimmigrant.org/2025/07/25/new-soliman-files-new-lawsuit/\">said</a>, are based on academic reports whose authors have since refuted the asylum officer’s conclusions.</p><p data-block-key=\"3e9k5\">On July 11, Soliman filed an emergency habeas corpus petition, requesting a temporary restraining order to keep DHS from transferring him outside the jurisdiction of Cleveland Immigration Court. The order was <a href=\"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70764545/5/soliman-v-lyons/\">granted</a> on July 15 and <a href=\"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70764545/10/soliman-v-lyons/\">extended</a> to July 30.</p><p data-block-key=\"1kl0f\">On July 24, Soliman filed an <a href=\"https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70905499/1/soliman-v-edlow/\">additional request</a> for a restraining order and preliminary injunction in a separate case against the heads of USCIS, its Chicago Asylum Office and the DHS. That case seeks to reinstate his asylum status and calls the revocation a violation of federal law, including the Fifth Amendment.</p><p data-block-key=\"146rf\">Multiple protests in Cincinnati, where Soliman had worked as a chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital <a href=\"https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/ayman-soliman-detained-muslim-chaplain-supporters-arrested-123870405\">since 2021</a>, have called for Soliman’s release, including one on a bridge into Kentucky, where <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2025-07-17&date_upper=2025-07-17&city=Covington&state=Kentucky\">two journalists were arrested</a> and charged with an array of felonies and misdemeanors.</p><p data-block-key=\"f3b2d\">“Going back to Egypt for me is a death sentence,” Soliman said. “I didn't come to America seeking a better life. It was escaping death.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8ira1\"><i>Editor’s note: This article has been updated with information from Ayman Soliman’s legal team.</i></p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Soliman_screenshot.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"15jta\">Butler County Correctional Center in Hamilton, Ohio, where Egyptian former journalist Ayman Soliman was jailed after his asylum was revoked on June 3, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": "1:25-cv-00510",
"case_type": "CIVIL",
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "Ohio",
"abbreviation": "OH"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [
"ongoing"
],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"ICE"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Other Incident"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Ayman Soliman (Freelance)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Pete Hegseth targets news outlets, leakers as defense secretary",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pete-hegseth-targets-news-outlets-leakers-as-defense-secretary/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T16:34:25.156292Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-06-09T19:43:46.106389Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-06-09T19:43:46.009663Z",
"date": "2025-05-26",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"yzj9y\">Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined Trump in taking steps to intimidate leakers and news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting Hegseth’s efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"1ommm\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"9v0ko\"><i>This article was first published on March 21, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"9vs77\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#May 26\">May 26, 2025 | Defense Department attempts to bar CNN reporter from foreign trip</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 21\">March 21, 2025 | Defense Department announces investigation into media leaks</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"yzj9y\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"d7qmh\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"May 26\" name=\"May 26\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"2y7xj\">May 26, 2025 | Defense Department attempts to bar CNN reporter from foreign trip</h4><p data-block-key=\"3ccj7\">The Pentagon attempted to bar CNN national security reporter Haley Britzky from traveling as the designated television pool journalist during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s trip to Singapore, Status <a href=\"https://www.status.news/p/pete-hegseth-pentagon-press-access?utm_source=www.status.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=hegseth-s-safe-space&_bhlid=8583a82fd7bcd379f720c4d09a22a59a6348c18a\">reported</a> on May 26, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"91gov\">“Pentagon officials—apparently irked by some of her tweets, despite their innocuous nature—relayed to CNN brass that she was not welcome,” Oliver Darcy wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"fh3o\">On May 24, Britzky highlighted her Signal username in a post on the social platform X amid the Department of Defense’s efforts to crack down on leaks, including by <a href=\"/all-incidents/pete-hegseth-restricts-journalists-access-inside-pentagon/\">limiting press access</a> to areas of the Pentagon.</p><p data-block-key=\"6vnlm\">Arthur Schwartz, one of Hegseth’s closest advisers, <a href=\"https://x.com/ArthurSchwartz/status/1926304038817013807\">reposted</a> Britzky, adding, “Any reporters that are encouraging DoD employees to bypass DoD Public Affairs and violate the terms of their employment with the government should be permanently banned from the Pentagon. Start with this one.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Any reporters that are encouraging DoD employees to bypass DoD Public Affairs and violate their terms of their employment with the government should be permanently banned from the Pentagon. Start with this one. <a href=\"https://t.co/aFvzPcufyw\">https://t.co/aFvzPcufyw</a></p>— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/ArthurSchwartz/status/1926304038817013807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 24, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"2y7xj\">Status reported that the move to exclude Britzky from Hegseth’s Singapore trip triggered an immediate backlash: Multiple other outlets indicated that if she was excluded they would boycott the trip.</p><p data-block-key=\"6qect\">“They don’t get to decide who covers them,” one correspondent told Status.</p><p data-block-key=\"7839n\">The Pentagon relented, and Britzky <a href=\"https://x.com/halbritz/status/1928406436192620655\">traveled</a> with Hegseth as originally planned.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"March 21\" name=\"March 21\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"yzj9y\">March 21, 2025 | Defense Department announces investigation into media leaks</h4><p data-block-key=\"bnd2m\">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office sent a <a href=\"https://media.defense.gov/2025/Mar/21/2003674265/-1/-1/0/EFFORTS-TO-COMBAT-UNAUTHORIZED-DISCLOSURES-OSD002809-25-RES-FINAL.PDF\">memo</a> on March 21, 2025, initiating an investigation into “recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6s70m\">“This investigation will commence immediately and culminate in a report to the Secretary of Defense,” wrote Joe Kasper, Hegseth’s chief of staff. “I expect to be informed immediately if this effort results in information identifying a party responsible for an unauthorized disclosure, and that such information will be referred to the appropriate criminal law enforcement entity for criminal prosecution.”</p><p data-block-key=\"76lla\">The memo also noted that department employees will be subject to polygraph exams “in accordance with applicable law and policy.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ebe2s\">The memo came hours after Elon Musk, head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, <a href=\"https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1902977556329931052\">posted on social media</a> calling The New York Times’ reporting on the planned content of his briefing at the Pentagon “pure propaganda.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cjh0\">“I look forward to the prosecutions of those at the Pentagon who are leaking maliciously false information to NYT,” Musk wrote. “They will be found.”</p><p data-block-key=\"e5n7v\">Musk’s meeting with members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ultimately did not take place, Reuters <a href=\"https://www.reuters.com/world/us/elon-musk-calls-prosecutions-pentagon-staff-who-leaked-new-york-times-2025-03-21/\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"ceird\">A Times spokesperson told Reuters that leak investigations are “meant to chill communications between journalists and their sources and undermine the ability of a free press to bring out vital information that may otherwise be hidden.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-03-21T163635Z_985503578_RC2S.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"of4rh\">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on as President Donald Trump (not pictured) delivers remarks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
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"targeted_institutions": [
"Media",
"The New York Times"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Haley Britzky (CNN)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Pete Hegseth restricts journalists’ access inside Pentagon",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pete-hegseth-restricts-journalists-access-inside-pentagon/",
"first_published_at": "2025-06-09T18:26:52.644672Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-06-09T18:26:52.644672Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-06-09T18:26:52.568897Z",
"date": "2025-05-23",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Arlington",
"longitude": -77.10428,
"latitude": 38.88101,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"y20kh\">Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced new restrictions on journalists’ access while inside the Pentagon complex in Arlington, Virginia, on May 23, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"1b34s\">In a <a href=\"https://media.defense.gov/2025/May/23/2003721693/-1/-1/1/UPDATED-PHYSICAL-CONTROL-MEASURES-FOR-PRESS-MEDIA-ACCESS-WITHIN-THE-PENTAGON.PDF\">memo</a>, Hegseth said journalists would now be required to have official approval and escorts from the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs to enter certain areas, including the offices of the secretary, his top aides and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Those areas had previously been freely accessible to credentialed reporters.</p><p data-block-key=\"c3ru7\">Hegseth cited the protection of national security and classified national intelligence information as the justification for the changes. “While the Department remains committed to transparency, the Department is equally obligated to protect CNSI and sensitive information — the unauthorized disclosure of which could put the lives of U.S. Service members in danger.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1hthd\">The Pentagon Press Association in a <a href=\"https://x.com/idreesali114/status/1926070207333740620\">statement</a> condemned the changes, saying it “is extremely concerned by the decision to restrict movement of accredited journalists within the Pentagon through non-secured, unclassified hallways.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8edfd\">It noted that its members have “had access to non-secured, unclassified spaces in the Pentagon for decades, under Republican and Democratic administrations, including in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks,” without any security issues arising.</p><p data-block-key=\"7s3q6\">“This decision eliminates the media’s freedom to freely access press officers for the military services who are specifically hired to respond to press queries,” the association added.</p><p data-block-key=\"87ci2\">On January 31, the Defense Department had <a href=\"https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/31/media/pentagon-press-rotation-defense-department\">announced</a> a new media “rotation” policy that removed major news outlets — including The New York Times and Politico — from their dedicated office space in the Pentagon and replaced them with primarily conservative outlets, such as One America News Network and Breitbart.</p><p data-block-key=\"9v68t\">The White House has also sought to restrict press access by <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/white-house-wrests-control-of-presidential-press-pool-from-correspondents/\">taking over</a> the presidential press pool and attempting to <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/ap-reporters-barred-from-white-house-events-over-editorial-style-policy/\">ban the Associated Press</a> from covering the president in retaliation for its editorial policy.</p><p data-block-key=\"7p3ci\">Since taking office, Hegseth has <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pete-hegseth-targets-news-outlets-leakers-as-defense-secretary/\">joined</a> President Donald Trump and other members of his administration in taking steps to intimidate leakers and news outlets that have produced critical coverage.</p><p data-block-key=\"28da5\">The Defense Department did not respond to an emailed request for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/AP17268664061269.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"ufyd9\">The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, is seen from above. On May 23, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth restricted journalists’ access while inside the building.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
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"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
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"state": {
"name": "Virginia",
"abbreviation": "VA"
},
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"targeted_institutions": [
"Media"
],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [
"Federal government: Agency"
],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Denial of Access"
],
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"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": [
"Change in policy or practice"
]
},
{
"title": "Multimedia journalist held for an hour by US border officers at LA airport",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/multimedia-journalist-held-for-an-hour-by-us-border-officers-at-la-airport/",
"first_published_at": "2025-09-12T16:00:40.267359Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-09-15T13:50:07.655017Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-09-15T13:50:07.566294Z",
"date": "2025-05-11",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"8s1qi\">A freelance multimedia journalist was held in secondary screening for an hour and told that officers couldn’t find them in “the system,” while passing through U.S. customs in Los Angeles, California, on May 11, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"68n6g\">The journalist, who asked to remain anonymous out of concern for further issues while traversing the border for ongoing reporting, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that they have been traveling extensively between Mexico City and LA for work on “a lot of immigration stories.”</p><p data-block-key=\"fj2cr\">Two months prior, they were <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/multimedia-journalist-questioned-at-lax-about-immigration-reporting\">questioned</a> about their immigration reporting when arriving at LA International Airport. Following that experience, they said they took precautionary steps ahead of their next flight to the U.S.</p><p data-block-key=\"68is2\">“I had deleted a lot of sensitive apps and contacts off my phone, powered off my phone, powered off my computer. I’d written down the Reporters hotline on a piece of paper,” they said, referring to the <a href=\"https://www.rcfp.org/legal-hotline/\">legal hotline</a> of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.</p><p data-block-key=\"b4gc0\">When they arrived and passed through U.S. customs at LAX, the newly implemented facial recognition cameras failed to confirm their identity. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer asked them a standard array of questions and then directed them to a secondary screening room.</p><p data-block-key=\"33m9c\">“At that point, I just thought, I don’t really know what’s going on, but it just all felt a little uncomfortable because I am a U.S. citizen. I do have a passport, it’s up to date, no expiration,” they told the Tracker. “But then again, since the situation was kind of intimidating, I didn’t want to question them too much. When you’re in those screening rooms, that’s it. You’re in a different area, and what you say or what you do, it’s not going to have much power there.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6tjch\">After approximately an hour waiting, a CBP officer returned their passport and told them, “We couldn’t find you in the system for a while. You have a very common last name, but don’t worry, you’re an American citizen, so you can go ahead and leave.”</p><p data-block-key=\"31kt6\">The journalist said they had never had an issue before, with years of international travel, and it was particularly concerning that it happened on the heels of being questioned about their reporting.</p><p data-block-key=\"8asqm\">“It just seems odd that in this year there’s been that slight escalation of asking these questions initially and then the second time around, they kind of just stopped me for no good reason,” they said. “The whole thing just put me a little on edge, because I don’t know what sort of internal documentation or tabs that they keep on people.</p><p data-block-key=\"a6s8n\">“My main takeaway was just that none of this really adds up. And I just want to be prepared for the next time I go across the border."</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/AP25157725077719.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"xb3r6\">A freelance multimedia journalist was taken into secondary screening and held for an hour on May 11, 2025, while passing through customs at California’s Los Angeles International Airport, pictured above.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"case_number": null,
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"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": "Los Angeles International Airport",
"target_us_citizenship_status": "U.S. citizen",
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": true,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": "no",
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": "no",
"assailant": null,
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"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
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"target_nationality": [
"Mexico",
"United States"
],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"immigration"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Border Stop"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Anonymous reporter 8 (Freelance)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
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},
{
"title": "Journalist subpoenaed by reporters arrested at 2021 California protest",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/journalist-subpoenaed-by-reporters-arrested-at-2021-california-protest/",
"first_published_at": "2025-06-04T19:58:38.140365Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-07-29T17:53:24.646696Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-07-29T17:53:24.377219Z",
"date": "2025-05-09",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Los Angeles",
"longitude": -118.24368,
"latitude": 34.05223,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"0xy36\">Los Angeles Times reporter James Queally was subpoenaed on May 9, 2025, by two Knock LA journalists for testimony at the trial of their civil case against the city of Los Angeles, California, and multiple police officers.</p><p data-block-key=\"cao3n\"><a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/la-times-reporter-among-multiple-journalists-detained-while-covering-echo-park-protest/\">Queally</a> and the two reporters were among the nearly <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_lower=2021-03-25&date_upper=2021-03-25&state=California&categories=Arrest%2FCriminal+Charge\">20 journalists detained</a> while documenting protests near LA’s Echo Park Lake on March 25, 2021, after police surrounded and arrested everyone using a tactic called “kettling.”</p><p data-block-key=\"9at4g\">Queally was released after approximately 30 minutes, with help from attorneys and a managing editor for the Times. Other journalists, including the two reporters for nonprofit community journalism outlet Knock LA, were charged with failure to disperse. The charges were quickly dropped.</p><p data-block-key=\"ddf8v\">The Knock LA reporters, <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/knock-la-reporter-arrested-while-covering-echo-park-protest-charged-with-failure-to-disperse/\">Jonathan Peltz</a> and <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/reporter-for-knock-la-arrested-with-colleague-while-covering-echo-park-protest-in-la/\">Kate Gallagher</a>, then <a href=\"https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.851533/gov.uscourts.cacd.851533.1.0.pdf\">filed a lawsuit</a> against the city, as well as then-Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore and 10 police officers. The reporters alleged that their arrests violated both their constitutional rights and California’s <a href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=52.1.&lawCode=CIV\">Tom Bane Civil Rights Act</a>, which protects journalists.</p><p data-block-key=\"96ik8\">“This is a civil rights action challenging the Los Angeles Police Department’s longstanding policy, custom and practice of obstructing, targeting, and retaliating against members of the press for exercising their First Amendment rights to gather news regarding police officer activity in public places,” the lawsuit states.</p><p data-block-key=\"eme7o\">Three weeks before the case was set to go to trial on May 27, attorneys for Peltz and Gallagher subpoenaed Queally, ordering him to appear as a witness and to testify about “the protest, his coverage of it, and being detained, but ultimately released when the officers identified him as a journalist.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ei402\">In a motion to quash the subpoena filed May 23, attorneys representing Queally argued that, in a rush to vindicate their own interests, the Knock LA journalists had infringed on the rights of a fellow reporter.</p><p data-block-key=\"agdq\">“The free flow of information to the public is jeopardized when litigants use the coercive power of the Court to force journalists to testify in support of parties’ private aims, which undermines reporters’ credibility and hampers their ability to do their job,” the motion said.</p><p data-block-key=\"bvkol\">Dan Laidman, one of the attorneys representing Queally, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that the decision to challenge the subpoena doesn’t reflect any position on the merits of the case.</p><p data-block-key=\"vl1g\">“James Queally and the Los Angeles Times have demonstrated histories of supporting press freedom and fellow journalists,” Laidman wrote, but added, “Forcing reporters to testify in court about matters that they cover compromises their ability to gather the news, and under the First Amendment it’s only allowed as a last resort in exceptional circumstances.”</p><p data-block-key=\"46uu6\">A hearing on the motion is scheduled for June 26, and the trial date has been moved to Aug. 5.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Queally_CA_subpoena.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"onhid\">A portion of a subpoena issued to Los Angeles Times reporter James Queally on May 9, 2025, ordering him to testify in a California civil case filed against police by two Knock LA reporters.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
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"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
"target_us_citizenship_status": null,
"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
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"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
"name_of_business": null,
"third_party_business": null,
"legal_order_venue": "Federal",
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
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"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [
"(2025-07-23 16:53:00+00:00) Subpoena for LA journalist’s testimony quashed"
],
"case_statuses": [],
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"tags": [
"encampment"
],
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"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"James Queally (Los Angeles Times)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
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},
{
"title": "CNN journalist deposed in Nexstar lawsuit, questioned about emails",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/cnn-journalist-deposed-in-nexstar-lawsuit-questioned-about-emails/",
"first_published_at": "2025-09-09T22:27:04.568263Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-09-09T22:27:04.568263Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-09-09T21:52:20.885235Z",
"date": "2025-05-01",
"exact_date_unknown": true,
"city": "Grand Rapids",
"longitude": -85.66809,
"latitude": 42.96336,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"e94zx\">CNN journalist Liam Reilly was <a href=\"https://thedesk.net/2025/05/liam-reilly-cnn-nexstar-deposition-lawsuit/\">subpoenaed in May 2025</a> to testify as part of a defamation lawsuit filed against Nexstar Media Group by two former news directors at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He sat for a deposition on July 14.</p><p data-block-key=\"9doa\">Reilly’s deposition was limited to questioning about 2023 emails he exchanged with Nexstar’s chief communications officer, Gary Weitman, after internal fallout from a newsroom memo about Pride Month coverage.</p><p data-block-key=\"bnh35\">Reilly confirmed under oath that he recognized the emails bearing his signature and that he sent them as part of his reporting duties at CNN, according to a deposition transcript filed in federal court in Michigan. Neither Reilly nor CNN is a party to the lawsuit.</p><p data-block-key=\"42pp7\">Last year, the Nexstar news executives, Stanton Tang and Amy Fox, filed related lawsuits after being fired over an internal memo — written by Fox at Tang’s direction — that urged reporters to limit Pride Month coverage and present “both sides” on LGBTQ+ issues, citing the station’s conservative audience.</p><p data-block-key=\"2mtgr\">Tang and Fox allege they were scapegoated by Nexstar, which <a href=\"https://kesq.com/money/cnn-business-consumer/2023/06/16/nexstar-investigates-after-michigan-news-station-told-to-get-both-sides-of-pride-event/\">later issued a public apology</a> for the memo and said it did not reflect the company’s values.</p><p data-block-key=\"8rlnd\">Attorneys for Nexstar filed a motion for a summary judgment on Aug. 22, asking the court to dismiss Tang and Fox’s claims without proceeding to trial.</p><p data-block-key=\"7ov5v\">Neither Reilly nor his attorney, Katherine Bolger, responded to a U.S. Press Freedom Tracker request for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"wqano\">A portion of the deposition transcript of CNN reporter Liam Reilly, who was ordered to testify on July 14, 2025, in connection with a Grand Rapids, Michigan, defamation lawsuit against Nexstar Media Group.</p>",
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"Subpoena/Legal Order"
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},
{
"title": "Town officials in Arizona remove press table from council chamber",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/town-officials-in-arizona-remove-press-table-from-council-chamber/",
"first_published_at": "2025-06-24T19:40:57.535745Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-06-24T19:40:57.535745Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-06-24T19:40:57.427299Z",
"date": "2025-04-30",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Fountain Hills",
"longitude": -111.71736,
"latitude": 33.61171,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"hwmss\">A press table in the council chamber for the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, was removed in April 2025 in apparent retaliation for reporting by a local newspaper.</p><p data-block-key=\"9g09g\">Councilmember Rick Watts requested the removal of the designated press table from the chambers, citing what he described as “partisan” reporting by the Fountain Hills Times Independent.</p><p data-block-key=\"5i35e\">Following a public council meeting about the town’s fire department budget, the Times Independent <a href=\"https://www.fhtimes.com/stories/fountain-hills-town-council-defers-fire-department-budget-plan,575108\">published a story</a> April 9 with a headline that Watts told <a href=\"https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2025/06/02/town-council-retaliates-against-fountain-hills-times-independent-newspaper/83924427007/\">the Arizona Republic</a> was oversimplified.</p><p data-block-key=\"dbcad\">Vice Mayor Hannah Larrabee, who the Republic reported has expressed ongoing concerns about the outlet’s reporting since taking office, also supported the removal of the press table.</p><p data-block-key=\"d4h70\">“Frankly, I am fed up with the Times’ partisan reporting and think it is time to remove the corner ‘reporters’ table,” Watts wrote in an <a href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25957353-rickwatts05132025/#document/p1\">email</a> to Town Manager Rachael Goodwin.</p><p data-block-key=\"b8nld\">“If the Times personnel cannot act and report in a factual, nonpartisan manner, without resorting to sensational headlines, reporting on the council and various commissions without obvious bias,” she added, “then I see no reason for providing any special seating accommodation.”</p><p data-block-key=\"ekjos\">While reporters are not banned from council meetings entirely, the press table commonly reserved for the Times Independent is no longer there, and its reporters are now expected to sit with the audience.</p><p data-block-key=\"2boj2\">Larrabee also <a href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25957352-hannahtoth05132025/\">wrote</a> to Goodwin, “I do not wish to further encourage unbalanced reporting, and I believe it is best if the Times Independent sits with the audience to allow for more chairs in that corner, making more room for the public.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5gafl\">But Councilmember Brenda Kalivianakis asked about the missing press table at the <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/live/yAVs0M5uxZE?feature=shared&t=10744\">May 6 council meeting</a>, requesting a discussion about the change be held at a future meeting and added, “We’ve had a media table for as long as I could remember.”</p><p data-block-key=\"bd6le\">Kalivianakis later argued in a May 28 <a href=\"https://www.fhtimes.com/stories/press-table-removed-from-fountain-hills-council-chambers,587238\">op-ed</a> published in the Times Independent, that the decision to remove the press table was a deliberate attempt to retaliate against the paper for what some councilmembers perceived as unfavorable reporting.</p><p data-block-key=\"cn2e1\">“Retaliation inherently has a chilling effect, making journalists and citizens hesitant to investigate controversial topics or criticize those in power,” Kalivianakis wrote. “If journalists are reluctant to report on sensitive topics, the people regrettably pay the price.”</p><p data-block-key=\"8e1ve\">Free press advocates and experts also weighed in on the press table removal.</p><p data-block-key=\"d9fg5\">“Local governments don’t have to roll out the red carpet for reporters. A physically designated space also isn’t required for Arizona local journalists to do their jobs,” Chris Kline, president and CEO of the Arizona Media Association and Arizona Local News Foundation, told the <a href=\"https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2025/06/02/town-council-retaliates-against-fountain-hills-times-independent-newspaper/83924427007/\">Arizona Republic</a>. “But small actions like this can send a big message, and when that message is frustration with coverage, it risks eroding openness in government.”</p><p data-block-key=\"af129\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker reached out to Watts and Larrabee for comment but did not receive a response. The Times Independent did not respond to requests for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"zztge\">Members of the Fountain Hills, Arizona, Town Council shown meeting on May 6, 2025, shortly after council members had removed the press table from the chamber.</p>",
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"Media"
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"Local government: Legislature"
],
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"Denial of Access"
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"Change in policy or practice"
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{
"title": "Kash Patel targets press, leakers as FBI director",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/kash-patel-targets-press-leakers-as-fbi-director/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-23T15:42:44.489120Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-23T15:42:44.489120Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-23T15:38:11.340158Z",
"date": "2025-04-28",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"3bvvd\">Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, FBI Director Kash Patel joined Trump in taking steps to intimidate leakers and news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting Patel’s efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"4sad0\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"f44a6\"><i>This article was first published on May 23, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"fvkg2\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 28\">April 28, 2025 | FBI director announces use of polygraphs in identifying leaks</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"3bvvd\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"lhbv\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"April 28\" name=\"April 28\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"3bvvd\">April 28, 2025 | FBI director announces use of polygraphs in identifying leaks</h4><p data-block-key=\"doqf2\">FBI Director Kash Patel directed the bureau in April 2025 to begin administering polygraph exams to employees to identify the sources behind leaks to the media, The Washington Post <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/28/leak-polygraph-fbi-justice-odni-dhs/\">reported</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"b189o\">A spokesperson told the Post that, “The seriousness of the specific leaks in question precipitated the polygraphs, as they involved potential damage to security protocols at the bureau.”</p><p data-block-key=\"5305a\">The investigations have been bolstered by Attorney General <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pam-bondi-targets-journalists-leakers-as-us-attorney-general/\">Pam Bondi’</a>s reversal of Biden-era policies that protected journalists from having their records seized or being forced to testify amid leak investigations.</p><p data-block-key=\"5am4a\">The new guidelines broadened the scope to not only leaks of classified material, but also “privileged and other sensitive information,” which could include details that are embarrassing to the administration or undermine its perspectives.</p><p data-block-key=\"1agct\">An official with top-secret clearance told the Post it’s a “toxic environment.”</p><p data-block-key=\"7el38\">“First, you’ve got the insecurity of not knowing whether you’re going to get fired or not,” the official said. “Then there’s the witch hunt to find the whistleblowers who are exposing the ineptitude and bad management of agencies. They’re trying to silence those who do not follow the party line.”</p><p data-block-key=\"f5rt\">Similar efforts to root out suspected leakers and disloyal “deep state” employees have also been announced by National Intelligence Director <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tulsi-gabbard-targets-press-leakers-as-national-intelligence-director/#March%2014\">Tulsi Gabbard</a>, Defense Secretary <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pete-hegseth-targets-news-outlets-leakers-as-defense-secretary/\">Pete Hegseth</a> and Homeland Security Secretary <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/kristi-noem-targets-press-leakers-as-homeland-security-secretary/\">Kristi Noem</a>.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-02-21T220425Z_1699304300_RC2.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"jystg\">Kash Patel after being sworn in as FBI director by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 21, 2025.</p>",
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},
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{
"title": "Pam Bondi targets journalists, leakers as U.S. attorney general",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/pam-bondi-targets-journalists-leakers-as-us-attorney-general/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-28T20:35:40.152281Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:18:30.343378Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:18:30.194041Z",
"date": "2025-04-25",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mfti3\">Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi joined Trump in taking steps to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"14u4v\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"bh0ov\"><i>This article was first published on April 28, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"13h14\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 25\">April 25, 2025 | U.S. attorney general rescinds journalists’ protection from federal subpoenas</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"mfti3\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"eab54\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"April 25\" name=\"April 25\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"mfti3\">April 25, 2025 | U.S. attorney general rescinds journalists’ protection from federal subpoenas</h4><p data-block-key=\"f570p\">U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a memo released on April 25, 2025, directed the reversal of Biden-era policies that protected journalists from having their records seized or being forced to testify amid leak investigations.</p><p data-block-key=\"2eaqj\">Under President Donald Trump’s first administration, the Department of Justice secretly obtained or attempted to obtain records from <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/?date_upper=2021-01-13&tags=Department+of+Justice&legal_order_target=THIRD_PARTY&categories=Subpoena%2FLegal+Order\">at least nine journalists</a> in connection with leak investigations. Such subpoenas endanger both the targeted journalists and the foundation of investigative journalism, which relies on source protection.</p><p data-block-key=\"64fs8\">After these subpoenas were made public, Biden administration Attorney General Merrick Garland announced in July 2021 that he was <a href=\"https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/doj-formally-adopts-new-policy-restricting-use-compulsory-process-obtain-reporter-information\">changing the department’s policies</a> to prevent such seizures of journalists’ records.</p><p data-block-key=\"bl514\">Less than four years later, Bondi <a href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25919680-bondi-memo/?mode=document\">justified</a> the revocation of that policy as necessary to thwart leaks that she said jeopardize the DOJ’s ability to “uphold the rule of law, protect civil rights, and keep America safe.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6pdt8\">“I have concluded that it is necessary to rescind Merrick Garland’s policies precluding the Department of Justice from seeking records and compelling testimony from members of the news media in order to identify and punish the source of improper leaks,” Bondi <a href=\"https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25919680-bondi-memo/?mode=document\">wrote in her April 25 memo</a>. “This Justice Department will not tolerate unauthorized disclosures that undermine President Trump’s policies, victimize government agencies, and cause harm to the American people.”</p><p data-block-key=\"dsfm6\">Bondi noted, however, that there will still be procedures in place to ensure such measures are only used when “essential” to successfully investigating or prosecuting the source of sensitive leaks. The language of the new policy had not been made public as of publication.</p><p data-block-key=\"5afkl\">Freedom of the Press Foundation, of which the Tracker is a project, condemned Bondi’s decision and criticized members of Congress who did not prioritize passing a federal shield law in 2024 that would have protected journalists from such subpoenas.</p><p data-block-key=\"7u74d\">“Every Democrat who put the PRESS Act on the back burner when they had the opportunity to pass a bipartisan bill codifying journalist-source confidentiality should be ashamed,” FPF Advocacy Director Seth Stern wrote in a statement. “Everyone predicted this would happen in a second Trump administration, yet politicians in a position to prevent it prioritized empty rhetoric over putting up a meaningful fight.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-04-16T130007Z_355032037_RC2V.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"m7s1z\">U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2025.</p>",
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"name": "District of Columbia",
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},
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"Media"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
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"Chilling Statement"
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},
{
"title": "Former journalist subpoenaed to testify at ex-mayor’s criminal trial",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/former-journalist-subpoenaed-to-testify-at-ex-mayors-criminal-trial/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-16T16:56:59.294777Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-16T16:56:59.294777Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-16T16:56:01.029002Z",
"date": "2025-04-24",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Indio",
"longitude": -116.21677,
"latitude": 33.7207,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"g0tpy\">Barrett Newkirk, a former reporter for The Desert Sun, was subpoenaed on April 24, 2025, in connection with the Indio, California, trial of an ex-mayor accused of taking bribes. A judge ruled in May that the state’s shield law doesn’t protect Newkirk from being questioned about his coverage.</p><p data-block-key=\"f2h4e\">According to court filings reviewed by the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, Newkirk worked on two articles in April 2015 concerning Stephen Pougnet, then mayor of Palm Springs, and his dealings with two real estate developers.</p><p data-block-key=\"ackq1\">Pougnet was indicted in 2019 alongside developers John Wessman and Richard Meaney on felony counts of bribery, perjury and conflict of interest, The Desert Sun <a href=\"https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2020/03/04/palm-springs-corruption-case-mayor-needed-make-money-developers-found-him-employment-transcripts-sho/4942051002/\">reported</a>. Less than a month before the case was finally set to go to trial, prosecutors subpoenaed Newkirk, ordering him to appear to testify before the jury on May 1.</p><p data-block-key=\"9nv4q\">Attorneys representing Newkirk and The Desert Sun asked a judge to strike down the subpoena in an April 30 filing, arguing that the former reporter’s testimony was not needed to verify Pougnet’s quotes in the articles and that, given more than a decade had passed, he was unable to recall details to authenticate the quotes.</p><p data-block-key=\"85ik2\">They added that anything else that Newkirk might be asked about at trial — such as his newsgathering and reporting techniques — is squarely protected by the state’s shield law, particularly as it is the prosecution that seeks his testimony.</p><p data-block-key=\"1jshm\">Were the subpoena to be enforced, they argued, it would “convert Newkirk and <i>The Desert Sun</i> into a ‘research tool’ or ‘investigative arm’ of the prosecution, called to testify whenever they may have obtained news or an interview that the government might find useful.”</p><p data-block-key=\"d8rpo\">The prosecution argued in its response that reporter’s privilege only extends to information about sources and unpublished materials, not the standards and practices behind attributing quotes in articles.</p><p data-block-key=\"9586v\">“Indeed, some might say that the public is entitled to know what standards apply to quoting and attributing statements in the press, and in fact many journalistic organizations post their standards on these issues online,” Deputy District Attorney Natasha Sorace wrote.</p><p data-block-key=\"5hhbv\">Superior Court Judge Samuel Diaz Jr. sided with the prosecution on May 7, but ruled that he would hear additional arguments on whether the evidence would be admissible before compelling Newkirk to testify, <a href=\"https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2025/05/07/reporter-may-have-to-testify-in-ex-palm-springs-mayors-bribery-trial/83500546007/\">according to The Desert Sun</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"dlr37\">Before a hearing could be scheduled, Pougnet <a href=\"https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/crime_courts/2025/05/14/ex-palm-springs-mayor-pougnet-pleads-guilty-in-bribery-case/83632290007/\">pleaded guilty</a> May 14 to more than a dozen counts — including bribery, conspiracy and holding prohibited financial interests in public contracts — and entered no contest pleas to three perjury charges.</p><p data-block-key=\"5qlrs\">The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker was unable to confirm whether the prosecution still intends to pursue Newkirk’s testimony at the trial of Pougnet’s co-defendant, Wessman, which is scheduled to begin May 19 or 20.</p><p data-block-key=\"8tbqu\">Newkirk, his attorney and Gannett — The Desert Sun’s parent company — did not respond to requests for comment. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the pending case.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Newkirk_subpoena.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"28nn6\">A portion of an April 24, 2025, subpoena ordering former journalist Barrett Newkirk to appear to testify at the Indio, California, bribery trial of a former mayor about whom Newkirk had reported for The Desert Sun a decade prior.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
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"state": {
"name": "California",
"abbreviation": "CA"
},
"updates": [],
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"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Subpoena/Legal Order"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Barrett Newkirk (The Desert Sun)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Tulsi Gabbard targets press, leakers as national intelligence director",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/tulsi-gabbard-targets-press-leakers-as-national-intelligence-director/",
"first_published_at": "2025-04-03T16:11:56.617031Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-02T16:20:42.800166Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-02T16:20:42.689041Z",
"date": "2025-04-23",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Washington",
"longitude": -77.03637,
"latitude": 38.89511,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"i6tw2\">Shortly after President Donald Trump’s second term began, Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, joined Trump in taking steps to intimidate leakers and news outlets that have covered him and his administration unfavorably. We’re documenting her efforts in this regularly updated report.</p><p data-block-key=\"20bip\">Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more <a href=\"/blog/trump-allies-pursue-multipronged-campaign-against-the-press/\">here</a>.</p><p data-block-key=\"dg89\"><i>This article was first published on March 14, 2025.</i></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"2jlqg\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><p><a id=\"top\" name=\"top\"></a></p>\r\n<div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#April 23\">April 23, 2025 | Intelligence director announces referral of leakers to Justice Department</a>\r\n<p><a href=\"#March 14\">March 14, 2025 | Investigation opened into media leaks from U.S. spy agencies</a></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"i6tw2\"></p><hr/><p data-block-key=\"erfo7\"></p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><a id=\"April 23\" name=\"April 23\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"466w0\">April 23, 2025 | Intelligence director announces referral of leakers to Justice Department</h4><p data-block-key=\"blvja\">National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard announced on April 23, 2025, that she had referred two individuals to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution for allegedly leaking to the press.</p><p data-block-key=\"4vnd4\">“These deep-state criminals leaked classified information for partisan political purposes to undermine POTUS’ agenda,” Gabbard <a href=\"https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/1915150870255210774\">wrote</a>. “I look forward to working with @TheJusticeDept and @FBI to investigate, terminate and prosecute these criminals.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Politicization of our intelligence and leaking classified information puts our nation’s security at risk and must end. Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. <br> <br>Today, I referred two intelligence community LEAKS…</p>— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1915150870255210774?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 23, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"466w0\">Gabbard and her <a href=\"https://x.com/alexahenning/status/1915149991934407053\">deputy chief of staff</a> also noted that a third criminal referral was imminent.</p><p data-block-key=\"ffbp\">The Washington Post <a href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/04/24/tulsi-gabbard-leaks-leakers-justice-department/\">reported</a> that such referrals are common when classified information is published by the press, and the DOJ then decides whether to investigate or pursue criminal charges.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div>\r\n<a id=\"March 14\" name=\"March 14\"></a></div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><h4 data-block-key=\"i6tw2\">March 14, 2025 | Investigation opened into media leaks from U.S. spy agencies</h4><p data-block-key=\"9rin\">Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, <a href=\"https://www.odni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/press-releases-2025/4053-pr-02-25\">announced</a> on March 14, 2025, that the Trump administration will aggressively investigate the source of leaks from U.S. intelligence agencies to members of the media.</p><p data-block-key=\"63nn\">In <a href=\"https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/1900525554039939309\">posts</a> on the social platform X, Gabbard cited recent reports by HuffPost, The Washington Post, NBC News and The Record as examples of such “politically motivated leaks.” She added that the leaks “undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated.”</p><p data-block-key=\"b2408\">The New York Times <a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/us/politics/trump-administration-leak-investigations.html\">reported</a> that, while Gabbard promised action against the leakers and not the newsrooms that publish it, it signals an effort to chill national security reporting.</p><p data-block-key=\"du0gi\">“Leak investigations threaten the free flow of information that the public needs to hold the government accountable, especially in the national security context,” Bruce Brown, the president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, told the Times. “This is true from administration to administration.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-raw_html\"><div class=\"article-content__block rich-text\"><p data-block-key=\"258po\">\r\n<p><a href=\"#top\"><i>Back to Top</i></a></p></div></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/2025-03-08T024534Z_549153628_RC29.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"lqk4u\">Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard speaks during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, on March 5, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
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"case_number": null,
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"state": {
"name": "District of Columbia",
"abbreviation": "DC"
},
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"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [
"HuffPost",
"Media",
"NBC News",
"The Record",
"The Washington Post"
],
"tags": [
"Donald Trump"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Chilling Statement"
],
"targeted_journalists": [],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "Freelance journalist barred from New York school board meeting",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/freelance-journalist-barred-from-new-york-school-board-meeting/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-22T17:22:47.265752Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-22T17:22:47.265752Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-22T17:22:47.103070Z",
"date": "2025-04-22",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Mastic Beach",
"longitude": -72.85205,
"latitude": 40.76677,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"v9xs1\">Freelance reporter Jennifer Holloway was barred from attending a William Floyd School Board meeting in Mastic Beach, New York, on April 22, 2025, after she filmed the arrest of an attendee and was removed from the building.</p><p data-block-key=\"b15r3\">Holloway told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker she was on assignment for <a href=\"https://protest.one/about/\">PRO_NYC</a>, a New York-based digital news outlet that focuses on protests, events, demonstrations and rallies in the tristate area. The meeting’s public comment portion was expected to include comments on the inclusion of a transgender student-athlete on the William Floyd High School track team, and Holloway said there had been rumors that anti-trans counterprotesters were planning to attend.</p><p data-block-key=\"1n3b0\">She said that the school board meeting followed a normal routine and, when she learned that it would be at least half an hour before the public comment section would begin, she left temporarily to go to her car.</p><p data-block-key=\"8t5op\">“As I was walking back, lo and behold, what did I see? Two policemen literally running inside the school building,” Holloway said. “I had my phone in my hand and I turned on the video. Very shortly after, I was literally pushed out of the school.”</p><p data-block-key=\"4vqb9\">In a clip of the interaction reviewed by the Tracker, a school security officer is seen approaching Holloway while she stands a reasonable distance from the ongoing arrest. The officer then tells her to take her phone outside while directing her toward the door.</p><p data-block-key=\"bf45k\">“I’m press,” Holloway responds. “I know. Turn around, go outside,” the officer replies. When Holloway asserts that she has a right to be there, as it’s a public area, the officer replies, “No you don’t” and “No it’s not.”</p><p data-block-key=\"6cut6\">She told the Tracker that in addition to identifying herself verbally as a member of the press, she was wearing a media credential issued by the New York City mayor’s office.</p><p data-block-key=\"7i81\">Holloway said that being barred from reentering prevented her from observing the entirety of the public comment section, which was her primary reporting objective.</p><p data-block-key=\"5cu5e\">“We did get a tweet out, and I did manage to take some photographs that we put out, but the part that I really wanted to get was some of the speeches and public comment,” she added.</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Dozens gathered outside William Floyd High School in Mastic prior to a Board of Education meeting, where Moms for Liberty were rumored to be appearing in protest of the presence of a trans athlete on the track team. <br><br>Much public comment is expected during the packed meeting. <a href=\"https://t.co/XRUaMvssNJ\">pic.twitter.com/XRUaMvssNJ</a></p>— PRO_NYC (@protest_nyc) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/protest_nyc/status/1914823377040134574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 22, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"7uk8z\">While Holloway noted an argument could be made that her removal violated not only the First Amendment but also the state’s open meeting laws, she said she is unlikely to pursue any legal recourse.</p><p data-block-key=\"3ig5p\">“I never caused any disturbance at all, as witnessed in the video. And it was just really unfair,” Holloway said. “I don’t expect any compensation. Probably the best I can hope for is an apology.”</p><p data-block-key=\"fjm76\">School Board President April Coppola did not respond to a request for comment.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Holloway_NY_denial.cc30ef05.fill-1330x880.jpg",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"vvb7w\">Freelance reporter Jennifer Holloway was prevented from observing the public comment section of the April 22, 2025, William Floyd School Board meeting in Mastic Beach, New York, after she filmed the arrest of an attendee and was removed from the building.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
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"assailant": null,
"was_journalist_targeted": null,
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
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"legal_order_venue": null,
"status_of_prior_restraint": null,
"mistakenly_released_materials": false,
"links": [],
"equipment_seized": [],
"equipment_broken": [],
"state": {
"name": "New York",
"abbreviation": "NY"
},
"updates": [],
"case_statuses": [],
"workers_whose_communications_were_obtained": [],
"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"LGBTQ+ rights"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [
"Local government: Public school district"
],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Denial of Access"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Jennifer Holloway (PRO_NYC)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": [
"Government event"
]
},
{
"title": "News crew caught in gunfire outside South Carolina park",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/news-crew-caught-in-gunfire-outside-south-carolina-park/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-01T19:22:53.603411Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-16T14:49:58.598390Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-16T14:49:58.501797Z",
"date": "2025-04-16",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chester",
"longitude": -81.21426,
"latitude": 34.70486,
"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"e1toc\">A WJZY news vehicle was struck with a stray bullet while two television journalists sat inside working on an unrelated story in Chester, South Carolina, on April 16, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"49erl\">Photojournalist Donald Fountain and reporter <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/news-crew-caught-in-gunfire-near-south-carolina-park-vehicle-damaged\">Jen Cardone</a> <a href=\"https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/chester-county/queen-city-news-reporter-photojournalist-shot-at-inside-vehicle-as-gunfire-erupts-at-chester-county-fairgrounds/\">reported</a> that they were finishing a piece on water runoff issues near the Chester County Fairgrounds at around 3:30 p.m. when gunfire erupted.</p><p data-block-key=\"41jkd\">“Bullets just started going off,” Fountain said.</p><p data-block-key=\"7i03m\">Chester County dispatchers reported multiple armed individuals were seen and that approximately 14 shots were fired, one of which struck the news vehicle, hitting just above the passenger window where Cardone was sitting.</p><p data-block-key=\"7hcau\">“I just froze,” Fountain said. “Then I saw one of the other guys come behind our car, and it was like, ‘Call 911.’ So I’m calling 911, and so many things are just going through my mind at that point. I’m just thinking, ‘Please don’t turn that gun on us because we were the only ones who saw it.’”</p><p data-block-key=\"ekkja\">Neither of the journalists was injured, though one individual was struck in the leg and was released following treatment.</p><p data-block-key=\"53epl\">WJZY reported that the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division has taken over the shooting investigation, which is ongoing.</p></div>",
"introduction": "",
"teaser": "",
"teaser_image": "https://media.pressfreedomtracker.us/media/images/Fountain_SC_assault.2e16d0ba.fill-1330x880.png",
"primary_video": null,
"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"uhlt1\">WJZY television photojournalist Donald Fountain recounts how a bullet struck the news vehicle in which he and reporter Jen Cardone were finishing a report near the county fairgrounds in Chester, South Carolina, on April 16, 2025.</p>",
"arresting_authority": null,
"arrest_status": null,
"release_date": null,
"detention_date": null,
"unnecessary_use_of_force": false,
"case_number": null,
"case_type": null,
"status_of_seized_equipment": null,
"is_search_warrant_obtained": false,
"actor": null,
"border_point": null,
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"denial_of_entry": false,
"stopped_previously": false,
"did_authorities_ask_for_device_access": null,
"did_authorities_ask_about_work": null,
"assailant": "private individual",
"was_journalist_targeted": "no",
"charged_under_espionage_act": false,
"subpoena_type": null,
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"state": {
"name": "South Carolina",
"abbreviation": "SC"
},
"updates": [],
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"target_nationality": [],
"targeted_institutions": [],
"tags": [
"shot / shot at"
],
"politicians_or_public_figures_involved": [],
"authors": [],
"categories": [
"Assault"
],
"targeted_journalists": [
"Donald Fountain (WJZY)"
],
"subpoena_statuses": null,
"type_of_denial": []
},
{
"title": "News crew caught in gunfire near South Carolina park, vehicle damaged",
"url": "https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/news-crew-caught-in-gunfire-near-south-carolina-park-vehicle-damaged/",
"first_published_at": "2025-05-01T19:21:18.876979Z",
"last_published_at": "2025-05-16T14:50:12.222823Z",
"latest_revision_created_at": "2025-05-16T14:50:12.130126Z",
"date": "2025-04-16",
"exact_date_unknown": false,
"city": "Chester",
"longitude": -81.21426,
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"body": "<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"wan8n\">A WJZY news vehicle was struck with a stray bullet while two television journalists sat inside working on an unrelated story in Chester, South Carolina, on April 16, 2025.</p><p data-block-key=\"d5n7l\">Reporter Jen Cardone and photojournalist <a href=\"https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/news-crew-caught-in-gunfire-outside-south-carolina-park\">Donald Fountain</a> <a href=\"https://www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/chester-county/queen-city-news-reporter-photojournalist-shot-at-inside-vehicle-as-gunfire-erupts-at-chester-county-fairgrounds/\">reported</a> that they were finishing a piece on water runoff issues near the Chester County Fairgrounds at around 3:30 p.m. when gunfire erupted.</p><p data-block-key=\"8u5rf\">Cardone told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that before the incident, she had been working in the vehicle for two hours and wearing noise canceling headphones to review her interviews.</p><p data-block-key=\"7k54o\">“We had just gotten our script approved and I tracked for my package, and Donald was starting to edit everything together,” she said. “I was working on the web story, and all of a sudden there were firecrackers in the parking lot.”</p><p data-block-key=\"1bof6\">Moments later, Cardone said they heard a man scream and saw him run to hide behind the news vehicle, telling them to call 911 because he had been shot.</p><p data-block-key=\"f8g0l\">“I was like, ‘Oh, OK. These are not firecrackers, these are bullets,’” she told the Tracker. “It was about 12 shots, but it was kind of rapid fire, and one of them hit what felt like the roof of the car.”</p><p data-block-key=\"cu4rl\">Chester County dispatchers reported multiple armed individuals were seen and that approximately 14 shots were fired, one of which struck the news vehicle, hitting just above the passenger window where Cardone was sitting.</p><p data-block-key=\"9rfnk\">“If I had been leaning forward and not sitting back to edit and work on the story or if that bullet just came down a few inches, I’d probably be dead right now, not talking to you,” Cardone said in her report.</p><p data-block-key=\"4lsd8\">Neither of the journalists was injured, though one individual was struck in the leg and was released following treatment. In a post on social media, Cardone wrote that in 10 years of reporting the experience was a first, adding, “Thankful to be alive and okay but still shaken up.”</p></div>\n<div class=\"block-tweet\"><div class=\"tweet-embed\">\n <div>\n <blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I’ve been a reporter for 10 years now and have been close to shootings but never hit by stray bullets. Today, this one nearly hit my head in the passenger seat. Thankful to be alive and okay but still shaken up <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Queen_City_News?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Queen_City_News</a> <a href=\"https://t.co/wooyJJTYVd\">pic.twitter.com/wooyJJTYVd</a></p>— Jen Cardone (@Card1Reports) <a href=\"https://twitter.com/Card1Reports/status/1912608544270217561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 16, 2025</a></blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"></script>\n\n\n</div>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"block-rich_text\"><p data-block-key=\"wan8n\">Cardone told the Tracker she didn’t think they had been targeted, as the news vehicle was unmarked, and that they had just been “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”</p><p data-block-key=\"498ug\">“If you’ve ever seen a car that’s been shot up, those go right through both sides of the car,” she said. “So the fact that it hit at the angle that it hit, and it didn’t get any closer to me or it didn’t hit the window — we could have gotten hit by glass — and none of that happened. The fact that we were able to walk away from that unscathed is completely crazy.”</p><p data-block-key=\"2smvo\">WJZY reported that the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division has taken over the shooting investigation, which is ongoing.</p><p data-block-key=\"2dl5p\"><i>Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include comment from Jen Cardone.</i></p></div>",
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"image_caption": "<p data-block-key=\"qoh5q\">WJZY television reporter Jen Cardone recounts how a bullet struck the news vehicle in which she and photojournalist Donald Fountain were finishing a report near the county fairgrounds in Chester, South Carolina, on April 16, 2025.</p>",
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"equipment": "vehicle"
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"state": {
"name": "South Carolina",
"abbreviation": "SC"
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"tags": [
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"categories": [
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