The Briefing with Jen Psaki Exclusive: Don Lemon's attorney, Abbe Lowell, one-on-one with Jen Psaki
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Jan 31, 2026 Abbe Lowell, prominent defense attorney for high-profile clients, offers legal perspective on Don Lemon’s arrest and DOJ tactics. He discusses late-night arrest details and argues these actions reflect a broader pattern targeting journalists and officials. He analyzes use of the FACE Act and warns about chilling effects on press freedoms.
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Arrests As Political Intimidation
- Abbe Lowell argues the DOJ used arrests to intimidate journalists and create fear rather than follow proper legal procedure.
- He frames the arrests as part of an authoritarian pattern targeting lawyers, journalists, and dissenters.
Late-Night Arrest Tactics
- Lowell recounts Don Lemon being trailed to Los Angeles and arrested at 11:30 p.m. to ensure he spent a night in jail.
- He describes Lemon thinking he was being mugged because of the heavy armed presence and timing.
Playbook Of Authoritarianism
- Lowell connects assaults on press and lawyers to historical authoritarian playbooks used to stifle dissent.
- He warns that attacks on the Bill of Rights signal a broader institutional threat to democracy.