Acosta Claims Lemon’s Arrest Linked to Race

Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta stated on Friday that the arrest of Don Lemon by federal authorities was racially motivated.

Lemon was taken into custody on Thursday night in Los Angeles for allegedly disrupting a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, back in January. Acosta suggested that Lemon is being targeted due to his race rather than actual criminal conduct.

“Trump enjoys messing with Don because he’s black. We need to acknowledge that. Trump has always attacked Don in a racist manner, calling him stupid, which is both shameful and disgusting,” Acosta remarked.

Lemon broadcasted as he entered the church alongside demonstrators protesting against a pastor who also works as an ICE officer. While Lemon claimed he was simply doing his job as a journalist, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon previously hinted that Lemon might have had prior knowledge of the protest plans.

Acosta went on to assert that Lemon was in Minneapolis for reporting and that the Trump administration exploited this for their agenda.

“People should be outraged; they need to be active on social media, voicing their support for Don,” Acosta added. “Don wasn’t doing this for attention. He was there to cover the injustice involving ICE and the resulting protests. The federal government took a legal route to target him, looking for any technicalities that might hold up in court.”

Lemon faces charges, including conspiracy to deprive rights, violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, and interfering with First Amendment rights, according to officials from the Department of Homeland Security.

Along with Lemon, the Department of Justice also arrested Traherne Jean Cruz, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Rydell Lundy in relation to this matter. Prior to these arrests, others were taken into custody on January 22.

During the church service, protesters shouted, “Justice for Renee Good!” Good was tragically struck and fatally shot by an ICE agent on January 7.