On February 3, near the Pennsylvania state line, around 50 cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The train was carrying dangerous chemicals, prompting a citywide evacuation. A reporter was arrested at a press conference conducted by Ohio’s governor days after the incident.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) gave a press conference at the East Palestine Elementary School gymnasium on February 8. During the event, Evan Lambert of NewsNation was doing a live news report when he was contacted by state troopers. The Ohio State Highway Patrol published a video of the event, which shows troopers and Ohio National Guard Adjutant General John Harris waiting for the reporter to finish speaking before saying something to him.
Harris can be seen pointing and talking to the reporter and camera person in the footage, which has no sound at first. The general and Lambert have a disagreement. The general is restrained by a state trooper. Lambert can be heard telling troopers and other officials that he is permitted to attend the press conference. The reporter is then escorted from the facility. The debate continues after a law enforcement officer informs the journalist that he will be detained. Then police take him to the ground and handcuff him.
Lambert was apprehended by law enforcement. He was arrested and charged with criminal trespass and disorderly behavior. The journalist was held in the Columbiana County Jail for roughly five hours.
According to WKYC News, DeWine replied to the arrest by saying that he believes journalists have the right to report during his press conferences. He went on to remark that it would be “wrong” if any reporter was prevented from doing so. He further stated that the arrest was not something he “approved” or desired to happen.
The East Palestine Police Department described Lambert’s reporting as “loud” and stated he was “disrupting the press conference,” according to WTAE.
