Don Lemon shares his experience of the LA arrest with Jimmy Kimmel, claiming the Trump DOJ aimed to ‘shame’ him.

Don Lemon Discusses Arrest in Minnesota Church Incident

Former CNN host Don Lemon recounted the circumstances surrounding his arrest during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel on ABC. He shared that his attorney, Abby Lowell, had previously talked to the Justice Department about his potential surrender, but she felt it wasn’t necessary to respond since officials had already indicated they were looking to charge him.

Reflecting on the timeline leading to his arrest late Thursday, Lemon explained how he attended a pre-Grammy Awards event and was unexpectedly approached by federal agents upon returning to his hotel in Los Angeles.

“I pressed the elevator button, and suddenly I felt people pushing me, trying to cuff me,” he described. “I asked, ‘What are you doing?’ They replied, ‘We’re here to arrest you.’ I was taken aback, asking, ‘Who are you?” Eventually, they had to prove their identity.”

During the incident, Lemon requested to see the warrant for his arrest, only to discover that the agents didn’t have one at the moment. They had to wait for an outside FBI agent to bring the document to him via cellphone.

“It was probably overkill—should have been dozens involved. Such a waste of resources, Jimmy,” Lemon commented to Kimmel. “I told them weeks prior that I could come in voluntarily; I was just there to work.”

Kimmel agreed, adding, “It’s not just a waste of resources.”

“Exactly,” Lemon acknowledged. “This is about more than resources; it’s about intimidation and embarrassment. They want you to feel fear—that’s the goal.”

Lemon faces charges of conspiracy to deprive rights and violating the FACE Act related to his participation in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota. He made headlines last month when he livestreamed coverage of left-wing activists attacking St. Paul’s Cities Church during services. While Lemon maintained he was acting as a journalist, the Justice Department’s indictment suggests he coordinated with protest organizers beforehand.

“I’ve dedicated my entire career to reporting the news, and I’m not about to stop,” Lemon stated to reporters outside the courthouse following his arrest. “There’s no more crucial time for free, independent media to uphold the truth and hold people accountable. I will continue this fight.”

He further expressed, “Last night, federal agents arrested me for simply doing what I’ve done for 30 years—reporting the news. The First Amendment safeguards my work and that of many independent journalists, and I will not remain silent. I’m looking forward to my day in court.”

The Justice Department’s initial attempt to charge Lemon was rejected by a federal judge, after which they presented an indictment to a grand jury in Minnesota.

Before his arrest, Lemon had challenged the Trump administration, suggesting they could attempt to make him the “new Jimmy Kimmel.” Kimmel, an outspoken critic of Trump, faced suspension from ABC for comments related to a controversial figure, much like Lemon’s rise as a liberal icon for opposing the Trump administration.