14 hours ago
DHS, Secretary Kristi Noem sued over actions against journalists in LA
The lawsuit contends federal officers used unconstitutional actions against journalists covering protests in Los Angeles.
Several journalism and civil rights organizations sued the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Kristi Noem over what they described as the unconstitutional actions of federal officers deployed to Los Angeles amid protests over immigration raids in the city.
The American Civil Liberties Union is among the legal counsel representing the plaintiffs in the case, which include the Los Angeles Press Club and the NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America.
The lawsuit accuses DHS officers of 'unnecessarily and indiscriminately' using less-lethal munitions against reporters, protesters and legal observers at the demonstrations.
'Suppressing the rights of the free press and protesters is the calling card of cowardly dictators and threatens to destroy our nation,' the lawsuit said.
NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss referred to federal officers' actions as an 'assault on the rights of all Americans' in a June 19 news release.
'This state-sanctioned violence against journalists is meant to stop the public from learning the truth,' he said. 'We're proud to join this fight to demand accountability and end impunity for DHS officers who attack the workers who power our free press.'
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. USA TODAY reached out to DHS for comment.
The lawsuit came a week after press freedom and civil rights groups sent a letter to Noem that warned the department of potential First Amendment violations in the city.
The Los Angeles Press Club is also part of a June 16 lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and its police department, as well as one filed June 18 against Los Angeles County and its sheriff's department over similar issues.
Protests over immigration raids in the city started on June 6 and grew over the following days, prompting President Donald Trump to order both National Guard troops and Marines to the city. California Gov. Gavin Newsom referred to such moves as a 'blatant abuse of power,' and the state sued the administration over Trump's orders.
BrieAnna Frank is a First Amendment Reporting Fellow at USA TODAY. Reach her at bjfrank@
USA TODAY's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.
