TV Journalist Arrested For ‘Disorderly Conduct’ At Train Derailment Press Conference

A TV journalist reports on the fiery 50-car train derailment in Ohio was arrested Wednesday for speaking during the governor’s press conference.

Evan Lambert, a Washington, D.C., correspondent for NewsNation, was approached by law enforcement officials as he was reporting live from a school gymnasium on Governor Mike DeWine’s (R-OH) press conference in East Palestine, Ohio. The press conference was shown in the videos. Officials escorted Lambert down a corridor to arrest him.

“It is literally my job to be there,” Lambert spoke as he was being escorted off.

. @NewsNation‘s DC-based correspondent @EvanLambertTV arrest footage continued. #NewsNation pic.twitter.com/wEJStVuiOs

— NewsNation PR (@NewsNationPR) February 9, 2023

Mike Viqueria, Washington Bureau Chief for NewsNation, said Wednesday that Lambert was safe, calm, and continuing to act with professionalism and integrity.

“As you see from the videos, he was doing his job — what hundreds of journalists do without incident — reporting to the public on a matter of urgent, critical interest to our audience,” said Viqueria, also adding, “Every effort is being made to assist Evan and secure his release as soon as possible.”

Lambert was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, and will remain in the Columbiana County Jail overnight, the news agency reported.

DeWine said Wednesday night that he didn’t ask for any reporters to be arrested and that it’s normal for reporters to speak on TV during his press conferences. “Whoever was arrested had every right to be reporting and doing what they do every single day.”

After officials warned that burning chemicals might cause severe health hazards or an explosion, journalists from across the country flew to East Palestine, Ohio over the weekend. Officials vowed to charge people with misconduct during an emergency if they refused to leave — with upgraded charges if children were at risk.

Officials conducted a controlled release to minimize the chance of an explosion. According to Associated PressResidents were permitted to return to their homes on Wednesday night, as the fires from the release have been put out.

Federal investigators have determined that the cause of the accident was an issue with the rail car axle.

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