Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon Appears in Court Following Arrest Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage

LOS ANGELES - Former CNN journalist Don Lemon appeared in federal court Friday after being arrested by federal agents in connection with his coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota earlier this month.

Lemon, 59, was taken into custody shortly after midnight Friday in Beverly Hills by FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents while he was in Los Angeles covering preparations for the Grammy Awards. He appeared before a federal judge later that day and was released on his own recognizance without having to post bail.

The Charges

The charges stem from a Jan. 18 incident at Cities Church in St. Paul, where protesters interrupted a religious service. A federal grand jury indicted Lemon and eight others on charges related to conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with worshippers' First Amendment rights during the demonstration.

The protesters chanted "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," referencing a mother of three who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. The protest targeted the church after activists learned that one of its pastors also serves as a field director for ICE's St. Paul office.

Journalist or Participant?

Lemon maintains he was at the church solely in his capacity as an independent journalist. Video footage he posted to social media shows him conducting interviews with both churchgoers and protesters while repeatedly stating he was there to report, not participate in the demonstration.

His defense attorney, prominent lawyer Abbe Lowell, characterized the arrest as an assault on press freedom. Lowell stated that Lemon has worked as a journalist for three decades and that his protected work in Minneapolis was consistent with standard journalistic practice. The attorney emphasized that constitutional protections exist specifically to safeguard journalists who illuminate truth and hold power accountable.

Government's Position

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests on social media, describing the church incident as a coordinated attack on a place of worship. She emphasized that violations of the sacred right to worship freely would be met with prosecution.

According to court documents, prosecutors allege Lemon attended a planning meeting with protesters before the event and characterized the upcoming action as involving civil disobedience. The indictment claims he kept the church location secret during his coverage and that he physically surrounded the pastor along with protesters in an intimidating manner.

Federal prosecutors sought a substantial bond during Lemon's court appearance, with one assistant attorney arguing that Lemon knowingly joined a group that stormed into the church. However, the judge granted his release without monetary bond and even permitted him to travel to France in June while the case proceeds.

Controversial Prosecution

The arrest has drawn intense criticism from media advocates, civil rights organizations, and political figures. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the action on the Senate floor, calling it a threatening message to journalists who dare criticize the current administration.

Notably, a federal magistrate judge had previously declined to approve Lemon's arrest, citing insufficient evidence. The chief federal appeals court judge in Minnesota also rejected prosecutors' appeal of that decision, writing that no evidence existed of criminal behavior in Lemon's journalistic work.

Amnesty International demanded the release of both Lemon and Minnesota-based journalist Georgia Fort, who was also arrested in connection with the protest. The organization called their detention a critical threat to human rights, emphasizing that reporting on protests constitutes protected First Amendment activity, not criminal conduct.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke out in support of Lemon, describing him as a friend who was arrested simply for doing his job. She noted that the arrest of journalists for entering a church while reporting is shocking, particularly given Lemon's known criticism of President Trump.

Broader Context

The arrests occurred amid heightened tensions in Minnesota over federal immigration enforcement operations. Two people were killed by federal agents during protests against ICE activities in the state earlier this month. Critics point out that the Justice Department moved swiftly to investigate and prosecute the church disruption while declining to open civil rights investigations into those deaths.

Defense attorney Lowell highlighted this contrast, arguing that the Trump Justice Department is devoting resources to prosecuting a journalist rather than investigating the federal agents responsible for civilian deaths.

Next Steps

Lemon's defense team has indicated he plans to plead not guilty and vigorously contest the charges in Minnesota federal court. Three other defendants arrested Friday - Jamael Lydell Lundy, Trahern Jeen Crews, and Georgia Fort - also appeared in Minnesota federal court and were released on personal recognizance bonds.

The case raises significant questions about the boundaries of press freedom, particularly in documenting protests and controversial government activities. Media organizations including CNN, where Lemon previously worked as an anchor before his departure in 2023, have issued statements defending journalists' constitutional right to witness and report on newsworthy events.

As the case moves forward, it is expected to draw continued attention from civil liberties advocates, legal experts, and journalists nationwide who see it as a potential test of First Amendment protections in an increasingly polarized political environment.

Lemon, who has built a significant following as an independent journalist since leaving CNN, remains defiant. Speaking outside the courthouse after his release, he declared that this prosecution will not silence him or prevent him from continuing his work as a journalist covering important stories.

The case is scheduled to proceed in Minnesota federal court, though no trial date has yet been set

Text by: lavier krgl