Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been taken into custody due to his participation in a protest at a Minnesota church. Federal agents arrested him in Los Angeles on Thursday night while he was covering the Grammy Awards, as stated by his lawyer, Abby Lowell.
Lowell remarked, “Don has been in journalism for 30 years, and, well, his work in Minneapolis was just like anything else he’s done. The First Amendment is meant to protect journalists who bring the truth to light and hold those in power accountable. Now is a crucial time for journalists like Don to pursue this kind of work.”
She continued, “Instead of focusing on the federal agents who were responsible for the deaths of two peaceful protesters in Minnesota, the Trump Justice Department is directing resources towards this arrest. This action is a serious blow to the First Amendment and seems to be an effort to distract from the many issues facing this administration. Don is determined to defend himself vigorously in court.”
Earlier this month, Lemon livestreamed a group of protesters who entered St. Paul’s Cities Church after accusations arose against the pastor for allegedly working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He emphasized to his audience that the “freedom to protest” embodies the essence of the First Amendment.
A federal judge had previously dismissed an initial effort by the Justice Department to charge him. Among those arrested related to the incident was Nekima Levi Armstrong, a notable protest organizer featured in Lemon’s livestream.
Armstrong’s group has voiced strong opposition to any attacks on places of worship, with Bondi addressing this on social media. Despite Lemon stating he had no prior knowledge of the protesters’ plans, portions of his YouTube video indicate he might have had some awareness.
On his way to the church, Lemon conveyed uncertainty to viewers, saying, “I’m not entirely sure what’s about to unfold… We will see. It’s somewhat unexpected.” He later mentioned that he only learned about the protest that morning and was curious whether attending the church would provide clarity on the situation.
When he arrived, Lemon informed his crew of his intent to “go inside and explain in detail what was occurring,” albeit instructing them not to enter the church grounds. “I’m headed in to see what’s happening,” he stated.
Audio captured during his time in the church revealed the pastor speaking before protests erupted. Lemon described the scene as chaotic, documenting the turmoil as he identified himself to worshipers amid the disturbance.
He characterized the church entry as a “secret mission,” asserting, “One must be prepared to disrupt and make people uneasy. That’s a fundamental aspect of our nation.”
Harmeet Dhillon, an assistant attorney general for civil rights, had previously noted that Lemon may face significant repercussions for his alleged involvement in the protest at the church. She pointed out that while Lemon carries a presumption of innocence, being a journalist doesn’t necessarily shield him from criminal accountability.
“Lemon himself indicated he was aware of the intentions for inside the facility. He entered and began to ‘engage in journalism’ as if that status could protect him from being seen as part of a conspiracy,” Dhillon remarked.
Lemon has reiterated his commitment to his work, stating he has experienced threats online as a result of the coverage. “It’s curious how I became the face of these protests, especially when I wasn’t the sole reporter present. Such framing is revealing,” he mentioned.
He added, “Instead of channeling energy to stoke anger, it’s imperative we focus on addressing the tragic incident that initially mobilized people.”
