TMZ's Harvey Levin slams Trump over Don Lemon's arrest: 'This is the playbook that dictators use'

WASHINGTON, DC: TMZ founder Harvey Levin has called out President Donald Trump and his administration following the arrest of Don Lemon.

Lemon was taken into custody in Los Angeles on the night of Thursday, January 29, in connection with an anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St Paul, Minnesota. 

He has been accused of being a part of the protest, but the journalist has insisted that he was only doing his job by covering the event. On Friday afternoon, Lemon was, however, released on personal recognizance. 

Harvey Levin calls Trump administration 'dictator-like'

Addressing the whole incident, Levin said, “So the Trump administration wonders why people are saying that they are trying to form a dictatorship. Well, look at the landscape – arresting Don Lemon, who covered a protest in Minneapolis, is just insane, ridiculous, dictator-like.”

“This is the playbook that dictators use to destroy democracies and take the will of the people away. It is as simple as that,” he added.

The television producer further insisted on the importance of “a free press,” saying, “Without a free press, you don’t have a democracy, and it’s real clear that Donald Trump and company doesn’t want a free press.”

Harvey Levin calls Don Lemon's arrest 'a ridiculous assault on democracy'

Lemon was reportedly accused of crossing legal lines by entering the church’s private property. But Levin called the allegation “stupid” as he pointed out, “Have you ever seen a church with a no trespassing sign saying no journalists allowed? Have you ever seen any house of worship that says that? It is insane, insane.”

Continuing his argument, Levin claimed that the legal action against Lemon was not about technicalities but a threat to all who want to stand up against the Trump administration.

The legal analyst stated, “It’s a ridiculous assault on democracy. The Trump administration should be ashamed of itself, but they’re not. And they will continue to do this. And they are going after journalists.”

“You’re gonna look back in two years, if somebody doesn’t stand up to them, and I know people are now, but you’re gonna back in two years and say, ‘Wow, we didn’t see that coming!’” he added.

Don Lemon says he 'will not be silenced'

Meanwhile, after his release, Lemon insisted on his stand and claimed that he won’t “stop now.""I will not stop ever. In fact, there is no more important time but right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on truth and holds those in power accountable.”

He added, "The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them and I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court."