Anderson Cooper stunned by Georgia Fort’s arrest: 'You had two dozen agents at your door?'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: CNN’s Anderson Cooper was left in shock as independent journalist Georgia Fort recounted her late-night arrest by federal agents. During their interview on AC360, Cooper asked, “You had two dozen agents show up at your door?” Fort confirmed, “Yes, two dozen.”

Fort, who was released on Saturday, January 31, and former CNN host Don Lemon were both charged with conspiracy to deprive rights following their coverage of a protest at Cities Church in St Paul, Minneapolis. Authorities alleged the journalists were involved in activities that “interfered with, intimidated, or obstructed” churchgoers. 

Anderson Cooper stunned by arrest account 

Appearing on 'AC360' after her release, Emmy-winning journalist Georgia Fort described the frightening experience of seeing federal agents outside her home.

“You know, my children were home with me when I was arrested. It’s been a long day and extremely shocking,” she told Cooper.

“Anderson, I am a journalist just like you. I went in my capacity as a journalist, documented, and published the footage. The material speaks for itself,” Fort said. “We are at a state where documenting events can get you criminalized or arrested. What happened in Minnesota should alarm the entire nation.”

Protesters Target Pastor Linked to ICE During Service

The protest at Cities Church, where pastor David Easterwood reportedly serves as the acting director of the local ICE office, escalated tensions over immigration enforcement. Demonstrators disrupted Sunday worship, with Fort and Lemon documenting the events.

Federal prosecutors charged both journalists with conspiracy to deprive rights, citing their involvement in actions that allegedly intimidated congregants and obstructed the service. The demonstration reflects growing national unrest against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, including heightened protests following federal shootings in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Fort emphasized the broader implications of the arrests: “What happened to me and Don Lemon should raise concern about press freedom and the role of journalists reporting on critical events.”