Former CNN host Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal officials in Los Angeles, just weeks after he reportedly pursued anti-ICE protesters into a Minnesota church during a service.
Prosecutors claim that Lemon disrupted worship, while his legal team asserts that his actions fall under “constitutionally protected work” related to his reporting.
Here’s what we know about Lemon’s arrest.
Why was Don Lemon arrested in Los Angeles?
Lemon was detained while working on his show for participating in the protests that overwhelmed a church service on January 18 in St. Paul.
He faces charges of conspiracy to deprive individuals of their rights, which criminalizes any agreement by two or more people to intimidate someone exercising their constitutional rights. Additionally, he is charged under the FACE Act, a federal law addressing access to medical facilities and religious worship.
Where in Los Angeles was Don Lemon arrested?
Reports indicate that Lemon was arrested in the lobby of a Beverly Hills hotel shortly after 11 p.m. and spent the night in jail.
When will Don Lemon be in court?
Lemon’s bail hearing is set for 2 p.m. in a Los Angeles court, handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for California. He is also scheduled to appear at a subsequent court hearing.
What was Don Lemon doing in Los Angeles at the time of his arrest?
He was in Los Angeles to cover the Grammy Awards, and just hours before his arrest, he attended the 2026 Recording Academy Honors. At the event, he took photos with Busta Rhymes and expressed pride in his “fearless” journalistic style.
Additionally, he shared a TikTok video of himself celebrating at a Spotify event in West Hollywood.
What happened at the anti-ICE demonstration at a church in Minnesota?
On January 18, around 40 anti-ICE protesters breached a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, chanting for ICE to leave. They believed that the church’s pastor, David Easterwood, was linked to federal immigration enforcement, a notion that Lemon had suggested in social media posts.
The protest coincided with the recent shootings of individuals by immigration officers, leading U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi to describe it as a “coordinated attack” on the house of worship.
Don Lemon’s involvement in the Minnesota protest
Lemon entered the church alongside the protesters, recording the events for his show. Prior to this, he mentioned in video clips that he had carried out “reconnaissance” and was aware of plans for a protest dubbed “Operation Raise.”
In interviews during the protest, Lemon asserted the importance of First Amendment rights, countering criticisms voiced by the church’s senior pastor, who labeled the actions as “disgraceful.”
After backlash over his involvement, Lemon attempted to distance himself from the protests, claiming he had no prior knowledge of their intention to disrupt the church service.
