Journalist Don Lemon has told a federal judge that criminal charges against him are the result of an illegal vindictive prosecution by the Trump administration. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is seeking to have a federal indictment against him in Minnesota, arguing that he is being illegally targeted for vindictive prosecution.
According to Lemon's attorneys, U.S. President Donald Trump's anger towards the journalist "is well documented, stretching back over a decade."
The attorneys argued in court filings that Lemon was charged by the U.S. Justice Department "as punishment for his First Amended protected reporting on protests related to Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota."
Lemon is one of several journalists facing charges -- along with a number of protestors -- for violating the FACE Act, which bars interfering or intimidating people as they exercise their constitutional rights to practice religion. He has pleaded not guilty.
