Blaze investigative reporter Steve Baker said Tuesday that the FBI plans to arrest him following his reporting on the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Baker will be ordered to turn himself in to a Dallas courthouse on Friday in “shorts and sandals” after his attorney received “threats” from the FBI and Justice Department on Nov. 21, 2023 and Dec. 23, 2023. He said he received a signed arrest warrant. 2023 respectively.
i have to turn myself in @FBI At 7am the FBI (or US Marshals?) will transport me to the courthouse in Dallas where I can meet with my lawyer at 9:30am.
A hearing is then scheduled before a judge at 10am ⬇️— Steve Baker – TPC (@TPC4USA) February 28, 2024
“The prosecutor told my lawyer to make sure I arrived at the courthouse. @FBI “I wear 'shorts and sandals' in the field office,” Baker said. “They didn't have to go down this path because I'm told my charges are non-violent misdemeanors. My lawyer also has a guarantee from the government. This is an 'internal and external' event.” And they had “no intention” of detaining me. However, they seem to feel the need to give me a personal humiliating treatment rather than simply issuing a citation. ”
My lawyer also has guarantees from the government. This was an “internal and external” incident and they had “no intention” of detaining me. However, they seem to feel the need to give me a personal humiliating treatment rather than simply issuing a citation. ⬇️
— Steve Baker – TPC (@TPC4USA) February 28, 2024
His lawyer previously said he could be charged with “interstate extortion and criminal damage to property.” according to In an article written by Mr. Baker on October 2, 2023 regarding this matter. (Related article: “Information collected about the Capitol”: Politico reporter opposes large-scale release of footage from January 6)
At the time of the notification, he was unaware of the charges being brought against him. according to To The Blaze. His lawyer, James Lee Bright, said the non-disclosure was “highly unusual” and that the federal government's pursuit of “legally working journalists” who took part in the riot was “absolutely chilling.” He said it was effective.
Baker wrote in an Oct. 2 article that before joining the Blaze, he worked on the Capitol riot as an independent journalist. He expected to hear from the FBI, even though he claims he did not commit any destruction or election interference. He said he did not enter the Capitol building until the Senate and House of Representatives were evacuated.
“They didn't have to go down this path,” Baker told the Blaze in a statement Tuesday. “I've been told that my charges are just misdemeanors. And my lawyer assured me that this was an 'in and out' case and that there was 'no intention' to detain me.” . However, instead of issuing a simple citation, they resorted to an “arrest warrant.'' ”
“I'm not depressed, but I'm not happy with the situation,” Baker continued. “I've been praying, 'Lord, please let this cup pass away from me,' and it seems like it's not happening.” But he added that getting through this first step will be a “relief.” said.
Blaze Media Editor-in-Chief Matthew Peterson called the move “outrageous” because Baker participated in the riot as an “independent journalist,” according to the Blaze newspaper.
“He had been facing unknown charges for years, but since we started working with him the government has started to move again. Unless it's a humiliating ceremony or show, he doesn't wear a jumpsuit or handcuffs. You don't have to spend a lot of money on it, but it looks like that's exactly what they're planning on Friday,” Peterson said.
“We are releasing to the world the footage from January 6th that shows Steve was clearly present that day as an independent journalist. This government retaliation against journalists violates the idea of freedom of the press. , contradicts the purpose of our nation's form of government, and the very nature of the American way of life,” Peterson added.
In January, a lawyer representing Baker told the Blaze that the Justice Department may be plotting “retaliation” against Baker for breaking two “deeply embarrassing” articles about the department. He said there is.
“Steve's actions on January 6 have been known to the Department of Justice for three years,” Baker's attorneys wrote in a January filing. news release. “But it is only now, after Steve reveals two major facts that are extremely embarrassing to the Department of Justice, that he may be subject to arrest and possibly a felony charge.” Any action taken to arrest him, detain him, or have him brought to court by federal law enforcement is nothing more than retaliation for his recent publicity.”
In another report, Baker said he was not the only person accused of wrongdoing in the riot, and that there were “exaggerations and false accusations” about his actions on January 6. He cited the document accusations against Ken Harrelson, who is said to have been involved in a crime. piece He wrote about it.
