Don Lemon arrested by federal authorities after protest at Minnesota church service
Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon Arrested on Federal Civil Rights Charges
Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor, was arrested by federal authorities and charged with federal civil rights crimes following a protest at a Minnesota church service earlier this month. The arrest occurred in connection with a coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who posted the information on X on Friday.
Charges and Legal Response
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Lemon was charged with conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshipers. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, criticized the move, saying Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards.
“Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case,” Lowell said. “This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court,” he added.
Context of the Immigration Crackdown
The arrest of one of the country’s most recognizable journalists marks the latest development in the federal government’s unprecedented immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Two U.S. citizens were shot and killed during this crackdown, which has drawn significant attention. The Justice Department pledged to pursue charges against Lemon after he covered the protest at the church in St. Paul on January 18.
Legal Challenges and Criticism
A federal magistrate judge had previously rejected a criminal complaint against Lemon. A source familiar with the matter described Bondi as “enraged” by the decision. The arrests also followed the apprehension of three others—Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly—who disrupted the same church service in St. Paul.
Protest Context and Legal Justification
Demonstrators gathered at the service because its pastor, David Easterwood, was alleged to work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Protesters claimed Easterwood is the acting director of an ICE field office in St. Paul. As with Lemon’s case, the federal government cited the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act to justify the arrest of the three protesters.
“In all these years up until I was the assistant attorney general for civil rights, nobody ever used that houses of worship part to prosecute protesters or criminals blocking access to a house of worship, so we’ve started to do that,” Harmeet Dhillon, the Trump administration’s top DOJ Civil Rights Division official, said in a video she posted earlier this month.
