JUST IN: Blaze Media Journalist Arrested For Reporting On January 6

An investigative journalist with Blaze TV has been arrested by federal authorities who charged him with four misdemeanors related to entering the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021 to document the ongoing riots.

Steve Baker was seen exiting a building in handcuffs and being placed into an unmarked sedan by two men in suits, according to video of the arrest circulating online.

WATCH:

According to the indictment, Baker is charged with four counts: knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building. The complaint is signed by FBI Special Agent Chris Noyes.

BREAKING: @BlazeTV’s investigate journalist Steve Baker has been charged with 4 misdemeanors.

Baker is being prosecuted over his coverage of January 6.

This is an awful day for journalism.

Pray for @TPC4USA as he’s getting ready for his first appearance in court. pic.twitter.com/cobIMLN606

— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) March 1, 2024

On Friday Baker self-surrendered to authorities following the news on February 21st that they would be pursuing him alongside hundreds of other J6 rioters who have faced stiff prison sentences. Ever a journalist, Baker documented his negotiations with the FBI right up through Thursday evening, posting a thread on X about the terms of his surrender.

“I must turn myself in to the FBI at 7 am, and then the FBI (or US Marshalls?) will transport me to the Dallas  courthouse, where I can meet my attorney at 9:30 am. I’m then scheduled for a 10 am hearing before the magistrate,” he wrote. “The prosecutor informed my attorney that I am to arrive at the field office wearing ‘shorts and sandals.’ They didn’t have to go this route, as we’ve been told that my charges are non-violent misdemeanors.”

“By this weekend, I will officially be a misdemeanor domestic journo-terrorist,” he added.

🚨BREAKING🧵- 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.⬇️

— Steve Baker – TPC (@TPC4USA) February 28, 2024

One day prior, Baker was interviewed by his out media outlet about the apprehension he felt amid a looming arrest for simply doing the job he loves.

“I’m not a depressive person, but I’m not happy about this,” Baker added to Blaze News. “I have prayed, ‘Lord, let this cup pass from me,’ but apparently it’s not going to.” However, he also said it will be a “relief” to get this first step over with.

Baker added that when he asked his other attorney, William Shipley, why the federal government is treating him like this, Shipley replied, “You know why. You’ve been poking them in the eye for three years”

Blaze Media editor in chief Matthew Peterson couldn’t agree more, saying in a Tuesday evening statement that “the federal government’s treatment of Steve Baker is outrageous.”

“We will be showing the world footage from January 6 that shows Steve was clearly present that day as an independent journalist. Government retaliation such as this against journalists contradicts the very idea of a free press, the purpose of our form of government, and what once was the American way of life,” Peterson also noted, adding that “this should not be happening in America.”

Much of Baker’s writing and documented footage revolves around the counter-narrative that Capitol protesters were largely peaceful. His reporting has been corroborated by Tucker Carlson, who received over 20,000 hours of J6 footage from U.S. House Republicans that was previously withheld by the J6 select committee.