Why did congressman Matthew Lyon go to jail?

Congressman Matthew Lyon was jailed in 1798 for violating the Sedition Act, which made it a crime to publish false, scandalous, or malicious statements against the government or its officials. Lyon, a supporter of Thomas Jefferson, had criticized President John Adams and his administration, leading to his arrest. His imprisonment sparked significant public debate over free speech and the limits of governmental power, and he ultimately became a symbol of resistance against the repressive measures of the Federalist Party.