Bondi Critiques Lemon’s Defense of Anti-ICE Protest

Attorney General Pam Bondi took aim at former CNN anchor Don Lemon during a segment on “Hannity,” criticizing him for defending certain actions at an anti-ICE protest in a Minnesota church, calling those defenses “illegal” and considering them an “act of journalism.”

“So, by his logic, anyone with a camera could just waltz in and film anything they wanted, right? I mean, would that mean they could invade a church on a Sunday and expect no backlash?” she remarked. “That’s not how it works in this country. You can’t operate like that. It’s against the law, and we will make sure there’s accountability—no matter who you are, even if you call yourself a journalist.”

Bondi’s remarks followed the arrest of two additional individuals connected to the protest at the church. She stated that the actions of the demonstrators violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which ensures the right to worship without interference.

“Nine individuals have already faced charges for their disruptive behavior,” Bondi noted, emphasizing that such actions are unacceptable everywhere in the country. “This incident was more than just a protest—it was an aggressive attack on a place of worship.”

Recalling the chaos of the event, she conveyed how the congregation was affected. “There were children crying while parents struggled to tend to them. It was a scare—one woman even got hurt seriously and had to be hospitalized,” she explained, further stating that many parishioners feared for their safety.

Bondi accused Lemon and others of orchestrating a “resistance operation” by meeting a short distance away from the church before launching their protest. “They planned to infiltrate the church service as if it were a raid,” she alleged. Additionally, she claimed that Lemon physically hindered some parishioners from leaving.

The indictment against the nine activists asserts they engaged in activity that obstructed others’ rights to worship peacefully. Bondi reaffirmed the federal Justice Department’s commitment to protecting places of worship and ensuring safety for congregants alike.

Lemon, on the other hand, has firmly rejected the accusations, maintaining that his presence was purely journalistic. He urged against any attempts to curtail coverage of his actions, stating, “If you think you can stop the reporting on me, you’re mistaken.” He asserted his identity as a journalist, passionate about covering significant events.

In the wake of the protests, Bondi underscored the importance of the right to worship freely in the United States, declaring, “You are entitled to worship safely—whether in a church, a synagogue, a temple, or a mosque.”