Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon criticized Don Lemon after he reportedly associated with protesters who targeted the Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, engaging in what was termed the “ICE-out action.”
Surprisingly, Lemon seemed to dodge repercussions for his alleged participation in the protest, particularly after a judge declined to issue an arrest warrant earlier this month.
Clearly, this was a hurdle that could be easily navigated.
On Thursday night, federal agents took Lemon into custody. According to reports, officials from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations were involved in the arrest, which occurred shortly after a grand jury was convened.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on Friday morning that Lemon, alongside three others involved in the church incident—Traherne Jean Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Rydell Lundy—was arrested under her direction.
A prosecutor later revealed that Lemon faced charges of conspiracy to violate rights and infringing on the Freedom of Admissions Act.
Lemon’s attorney, Abby Lowell, mentioned that the arrest happened in Los Angeles, where it’s believed the group was preparing for the Grammy Awards over the weekend. She defended Lemon’s actions, stating, “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his work in Minneapolis was just like anything he has ever done. The First Amendment protects journalists who aim to unveil the truth and hold authorities accountable. This work is more crucial now than ever.”
Lemon had expressed in October that “black and brown people” should stand up against ICE; footage showed him participating in an interruption of the church service, which was targeted due to the pastor’s connection to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The activists, rather than peacefully protesting, were loud and confrontational, demanding individual answers from congregants about their support for ICE.
Lemon, who previously lost his job at CNN following allegations of sexist remarks, appeared to fluctuate between his journalistic demeanor and the role of a participant in the protest. He asserted, “There’s nothing in the Constitution indicating when you may protest. Protesting is meant to disrupt and create discomfort. In challenging times, people must be willing to sacrifice something.”
A Reverend, Jonathan Parnell, afterward admonished Lemon, calling the actions of the protesters “unacceptable” and lamented the disruption of worship.
Lemon responded to Parnell, defending the protesters by saying, “We have freedoms of speech and assembly. This is valid protest.” Dhillon responded to Lemon’s justification, emphasizing, “Houses of worship are not venues for protests! They are safeguarded by federal criminal and civil law against such actions. The First Amendment doesn’t protect distorted journalism that disrupts worship. You should be more thoughtful!”
Lemon is expected to appear in federal court in Los Angeles on Friday morning.
Meanwhile, some liberals, who had little to say when a reporter was arrested for covering the January 6 riot, seem taken aback by Lemon’s arrest.
Atlantic reporter Jemele Hill labeled the arrest of the protesters “horrifying,” stating it was “absolutely intolerable.” Former CNN colleague Jim Acosta echoed similar sentiments, condemning the situation as an “outrage” and a “threat to the First Amendment.”
