Former CNN host Don Lemon was arrested early on January 19, 2024, on federal charges linked to an anti-ICE protest that took place earlier this month at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The protest occurred on January 18, when demonstrators entered the church, targeting it due to its association with a pastor who serves as the acting field director for the St. Paul ICE field office, as reported by ABC News.
A recently released affidavit from the FBI indicates that parishioners expressed concern for their children, who were in child care during the protest. Allegations suggest that protesters reportedly blocked access to the child care area and confronted children with inflammatory remarks, including accusations that their parents were “Nazis” who “are going to burn in hell.” These actions have raised significant concerns among the church community.
The arrests were announced by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who stated on social media that Lemon was apprehended “at my direction.” Alongside Lemon, three others were arrested, including journalist Georgia Fort and activist Trahern Jeen Crews, a recognized leader in the Black Lives Matter movement. Previously, at least three additional individuals had been arrested in connection with the protest.
Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, revealed that a magistrate judge had dismissed charges against Lemon prior to his arrest. According to Lowell, Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles while he was covering the Grammy Awards. The attorney characterized the arrest as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment,” asserting that Lemon intends to contest the charges in court.
The protest disrupted a service at the church, with demonstrators chanting “ICE out.” Following the event, the Justice Department filed a criminal complaint against eight individuals, including Lemon. This complaint invoked a law designed to protect individuals participating in services at houses of worship. A federal magistrate judge approved charges against three individuals involved but declined to sign arrest warrants for Lemon and the others, citing insufficient evidence. The Justice Department subsequently sought additional arrest warrants from a federal appeals court, which were denied.
Lemon and his co-defendants are facing two criminal charges: interference with religious freedom in a house of worship and conspiracy to deprive rights. He is scheduled to appear in federal court later today in Los Angeles. The prosecution may face challenges from the defense, particularly concerning First Amendment rights.
In a video shared online, Lemon stated, “Once the protest started in the church, we did an act of journalism, which was report on it and talk to the people involved, including the pastor, members of the church and members of the organization. That’s it. That’s called journalism.” His remarks highlight his stance that he was not participating in the protest but rather covering it as part of his journalistic duties.
The FBI affidavit provides insight into the atmosphere during the protest, revealing that parishioners felt threatened and were blocked from retrieving their children. Testimonies indicated that the church’s narrow aisles were congested by demonstrators, making it difficult for churchgoers to exit. Some expressed fear that the protesters might have concealed weapons beneath their clothing.
Don Lemon, a journalist with over 30 years of experience, previously worked for CNN for 17 years before leaving the network in 2023 amid controversies surrounding his comments. Known for his criticism of former President Donald Trump, Lemon has established himself as a prominent figure in American journalism and continues to operate independently, including hosting his own show on YouTube.
As this situation develops, it underscores the ongoing tensions between protest actions and First Amendment rights, raising significant questions about the balance of freedom of expression and public safety in contentious contexts.
