"At least three times recently, a government official or lawyer has argued that simply recording law enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers is a form of violence. In July, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem proclaimed during a news conference following ICE raids on California farms that videotaping ICE agents performing operations is "violence." Noem lumped video recordings in with other forms of actual violence, like throwing rocks or Molotov cocktails at agents."
"Then, in August, Justice Department lawyer Sean Skedzielewski argued, during a court hearing over the Los Angeles Police Department's mistreatment of journalists covering protests, that videotaping law enforcement officers "can be used for violence." He claimed recording is violent because it can reveal officers' identities, leading to harassment, and can encourage more protesters to join the fray. Also in August, the government applied similar logic as it fought against the release of Mario Guevara, the only journalist in U.S. custody after being arrested for newsgathering."
Freedom of the Press Foundation called out recent government claims that recording law enforcement constitutes violence. At least three officials or lawyers argued that videotaping ICE or police officers is a form of violence, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during ICE raids and a Justice Department lawyer in an LAPD court hearing. Officials argued recordings could reveal officers' identities, lead to harassment, encourage more protesters, and present safety threats. The government used the argument to resist releasing detained journalist Mario Guevara and to justify actions during protests. Critics warned that this framing could criminalize routine newsgathering.
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