Dem law takes aim at Trump, makes 'intimidating' journalists a federal crime

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Rep. Eric Swalwell says he’s been inspired by President Trump to propose a law making it a federal crime to “intimidate” or attack journalists.

The Democrat, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, introduced the Journalist Protection Act in the House on Monday.

He claimed the legislation must be passed to protect reporters from the “toxic environment” created by President Trump, who has accused some media outlets of reporting “fake news.”

Swalwell’s bill makes it a federal crime “to intentionally cause bodily injury to a journalist” and allows law enforcement to “punish those who interfere with newsgathering.”

Swalwell says Trump has encouraged people to engage in violence against journalists by calling out “fake-news” and creating a “climate of extreme hostility to the press.”

Corrie O'Connor