On Sunday, Don Lemon achieved quite a remarkable feat—he managed to lower our perception of him even further.
What a surprising turn of events.
The former CNN anchor found himself livestreaming alongside a group of fervent anti-ICE protesters who disrupted services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. This chaos stemmed from unverified claims linking the church’s pastor to ICE.
Even without his news affiliation, Lemon was integrated into the group that barged into the church, shaking the calm of Sunday service and showcasing behaviors more fitting for a psychiatric facility than a place of worship.
As chaos erupted, protesters chanted “ICE Out” and shouted the name of a local figure, Lenny Goode.
The scene was distressing for parishioners, some of whom attempted to reason with the rowdy group. Among them was a young boy in tears, comforted by his parents.
This footage was troubling, to say the least. It clearly crossed the line from a peaceful protest into an outright assault in a sacred space.
In response to the backlash, Lemon posted another video claiming he wasn’t part of the protest but merely witnessing a newsworthy event, suggesting that his criticism stemmed from his identity as a black, gay man.
That old line again.
Despite his denials, Lemon had recorded the group preparing for the protest, explaining their aim to “catch people off guard and hold them accountable.”
He appeared almost gleeful in that moment.
Lemon stated, “These are protestors. They are planning an operation where we will go after them,” referring to their plans as “Operation Suspension.”
And then, in an odd moment, he shared a kiss on the cheek with protest organizer Nekima Levi Armstrong.
He noted, “This is what the First Amendment is about. Protesting may not be comfortable, but it’s necessary.” He sounded, well, rather self-satisfied.
Now he seems eager to backpedal. Yet he wasn’t just an observer; he engaged with church members, challenging them regarding the actions of the protesters.
It’s bizarre, really. It feels akin to knowing about a robbery, interviewing the victim, and somehow justifying the crime.
Lemon suggested that, were he a pastor, he would offer to pray with the protesters. But the reality was that these intruders had no interest in dialogue.
Through the tumult of protests in 2020, activists surged through cities, disrupting everyday life, demanding allegiance to their cause. At that time, many just wanted to enjoy a quiet brunch.
This recent disruption had nothing to do with justice. It felt like a misguided power play rather than a serious call for change. The actions taken were extreme and did nothing to sway opinions.
The protesters didn’t genuinely care about the cause they claimed to support; they were simply sowing chaos.
Logical minds can differ on policy matters. Still, interfering with federal operations and jeopardizing religious freedoms is both dangerous and unacceptable.
One thing is clear: Lemon wouldn’t dare to provoke a similar scene elsewhere.
“Places of worship aren’t venues for protests! Laws exist to protect them from such disturbances,” tweeted Justice Department official Harmeet Dhillon, indicating Lemon’s actions were under scrutiny.
In an interview, Lemon lambasted religious groups, implying their claims stemmed from a sense of entitlement rooted in white supremacy.
He expressed confusion about being perceived as a divisive figure.
When told, “Don, you’re a gay Black man in America,” it seemed he was caught in a web of self-delusion.
His identity, it would seem, has served him well. Despite his contentious reputation and past treatment of female colleagues, he made a fortune on television.
That wealth has afforded him a comfortable life, shielded from the struggles of everyday people. Reports say he resides in a luxury Manhattan high-rise and owns a beautiful home in the Hamptons.
He won’t be confronting anyone outside of his privileged bubble.
And sadly, it appears he carries no sense of shame.
