HHS Secretary Tom Price came to Charleston WV to our state capitol building, accompanied by KellyAnne Conway and Congressperson (and Senate Candidate in 2018) Evan Jenkins. They were supposedly “fact-finding” about the opioid addiction crisis we are facing, and they must have though a red Trump state was a safe place to hear what they wanted to hear about AHCE. The meeting was closed to the public at the Trump administration’s request.
Mr. Tom Heyman, a reporter for Public News Service, was waiting in the West Wing hallwayof the capitol to ask a question about whether victims of domestic abuse could be considered to have a preexisting condition under the house AHCE bill passed last week. Heyman followed Price and his party down the corridor, repeatedly asking this question and was arrested by the Capitol Police for supposedly breaching Price’s security. The Secret Service did not intervene in the questioning and Heyman, a longtime local reporter, was wearing press credentials and clearly identified as press. I am including some links to press reporting on this issue, and the ACLU has become involved. He didn't get his Miranda rights read to him and received no warning to back away- just arrested for doing his job as a reporter.
wvpublic.org/… Mr. Heyman is a former WV Public Broadcasting reporter and well known in the state.
www.esquire.com/… this link has a good interview with Mr. Heyman and his ACLU attorney. Heyman faces a $100 fine and up to 6 months in jail.
thehill.com/… this link includes video of the arrest, taken by protestors from WV. Spouse was at wrong entrance to protest so missed the event. It is a big building and he drove a hour to get there, so that is sad.
www.washingtonpost.com/… this is a good, balanced story from national press.
This is a big deal and should be noted even while Comey captures the headlines. Our reporters asking the tough, relevant questions should not be arrested and silenced. I am proud WV has reporters out there asking about AHCE law.