FBI Arresting Reporter Sparks MAGA Outrage

Supporters of Donald Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement voiced their outrage on social media on Friday after investigative reporter Steve Baker was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Baker, an investigative reporter for conservative news outlet Blaze Media, was taken into FBI custody on Friday for his reporting of the Capitol Riot on January 6, 2021.

On that day, a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building to stop the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election win. The riot erupted following claims made by Trump that the election was stolen via widespread voter fraud. There is no evidence to support Trump's claims.

Blaze Media shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday of Baker handcuffed and being led by two men into a car.

Newsweek reached out to Baker's lawyer via email for comment.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and staunch supporter of Trump, reacted to Baker's arrest: "The Biden regime just arrested journalist Steve Baker for covering Jan6.

"Free Press is dead in America when the government jails journalists who refuse to report the regime's political agenda and lies," she added.

While many agreed with Greene, there were some who questioned Baker's journalist integrity and if Baker was just a bystander.

X user @whataprettycow replied to Greene's post: "Good. Nobody who works for The Blaze is a journalist. And you are no patriot."

"When it comes out shortly that he wasn't arrested for simply covering 'Jan6', will you retract this statement?" X user @realjakecobb wrote.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, acknowledged Baker's arrest, writing: "Those who pontificate about 'threats to our democracy' should take a hard look at the threats to freedom of the press."

Chad Prather, a conservative political commentator and comedian, commented on the video of Baker in handcuffs, writing, "Every journalist should strive to be Steve Baker. This is a circus act. He embarrassed the DOJ and they should be ashamed. The emperor has no clothes and Steve called them out."

Brigitte Gabriel, conservative activist and founder of Act for America, posted: "Steve Baker has done nothing wrong. This is harassment."

Kyle Seraphin, a former FBI agent who is now a podcaster on the conservative video platform Rumble, said on X that Baker "was acting as a journalist and has embarrassed the @CapitolPolice lies more than any one single person in the US for the #J6 lies. Head held high, Steve - cowards die a thousand deaths."

Glenn Beck, the founder of Blaze Media, said in a statement about Baker's arrest: "The timing of the FBI's actions is peculiar, to say the least. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges we face in our pursuit of truth. It demonstrates that those in positions of power are quick to react when confronted with narratives that deviate even slightly from their carefully scripted versions of events."

Meanwhile, former U.S. Capitol police officer Tarik Johnson posted: "#FreeSteveBaker."

Baker posted on X ahead of his arrest on Tuesday, "This time, it's really happening. Unlike the two previous threats my attorneys received from @FBI/@thejusticedept (Nov. 21 and Dec. 23), my self-surrender for alleged J6 crimes is set for this Friday morning in Dallas, TX. There is now a signed arrest warrant."

In a follow-up post from that day, Baker explained that he had to turn himself in at 7 a.m. on Friday and then officials would transport him to a courthouse in Dallas, Texas, where he would be joined by his attorney before his scheduled hearing before the magistrate.

"They didn't have to go this route, as we've been told that my charges are non-violent misdemeanors," he said in another post.

Baker added in the X thread: "My attorneys have also been assured by the gov. that this will be an 'in and out' affair and that they have 'no intention' of detaining me. But, rather than issuing a simple order to appear, they seem to feel the need to give me a dose of the personal humiliation treatment."

In a court filing dated February 21, which was published by Blaze Media, Baker is facing charges of Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds Without Lawful Authority, Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Ground, Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building, and Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building.

Update 3/1/24, 1:41 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Correction: 3/2/24, 1:16 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Baker.