Journalist Don Lemon has been arrested in connection with an anti-immigration protest at a Minnesota church.
The former CNN anchor was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he had been covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney Abbe Lowell confirmed Friday. The arrest stems from a January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul that disrupted a service, though it remains unclear what specific charges he’s facing. The development comes after a magistrate judge rejected prosecutors’ initial attempt to charge the journalist last week.
Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023, maintains he had no affiliation with the protest organization and was present solely as a journalist documenting the demonstration. In a statement, Lowell defended his client’s actions:
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”
The protest targeted Cities Church, part of the Southern Baptist Convention, where local ICE field office leader David Easterwood serves as pastor. Demonstrators interrupted services chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referencing the 37-year-old mother of three fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. A prominent civil rights attorney and two others involved were arrested last week on civil rights violations.
Attorney General Pam Bondi responded forcefully on social media, writing “WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.” However, the Justice Department’s swift investigation into the church disruption contrasts sharply with its decision not to open civil rights probes into Good’s killing or the death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal officers.
Lowell criticized the priorities of the Trump administration’s Justice Department, stating that instead of investigating federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, they’re focusing resources on arresting journalists. He vowed that Lemon will fight the charges vigorously in court.
Read the full statement:
