Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested after reporting from an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota earlier this month.
Lemon, who now works as an independent journalist, was taken into federal custody Thursday night in Los Angeles. At the time, he was reporting on nearby events linked to the Grammy Awards. Lemon’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, confirmed the arrest and said Lemon will appear in federal court in Los Angeles on Friday.
The case relates to an incident on 18 January at Cities Church in St. Paul. During the service, protesters entered the church and interrupted worship. They claimed that one of the church’s pastors had ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Lemon was present during the protest and reported from the scene as events unfolded.
Lemon’s lawyer said he plans to fight the charges. He said his client acted within the bounds of journalism and did not take part in the protest itself. The attorney added that prosecuting Lemon raises serious concerns about press freedom.
Lemon, 59, has also said he attended the church strictly in a reporting role. He said that when the protest started, he stayed back to report on it and did not take part.
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents arrested three other people in connection with the protest. They include Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy. Bondi accused those involved of coordinating efforts to disrupt a religious service. Authorities have not yet publicly detailed the specific charges Lemon faces.
Initially, prosecutors sought charges against eight people. They alleged the group conspired to interfere with religious worship and violate civil rights. However, a magistrate judge approved charges against only three individuals and left Lemon out. Prosecutors later challenged that decision. An appeals court then advised them to take the case to a federal grand jury for review.
During the protest, demonstrators chanted slogans referencing Renee Good, a U.S. citizen who died earlier this month during a confrontation with an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Inside the church, tensions rose as protesters and congregants shouted at one another. Church leaders later condemned the disruption and called it disrespectful to worshippers.
Throughout the incident, Lemon said he was not aligned with the protesters. He repeatedly stated that he was present solely to report on the situation.
The Department of Justice has since said it intends to pursue the matter aggressively. Civil rights officials described the case as significant, citing concerns about interference with religious gatherings.
CNN, Lemon’s former employer, also responded to the arrest. The network said the case raises serious questions about press freedom and the First Amendment. It added that it will continue to follow developments closely.
More broadly, the case comes amid growing concern over law enforcement actions involving journalists. Earlier this month, federal agents searched the home of a Washington Post reporter as part of a separate investigation into an alleged leak of classified information. That move drew criticism from press freedom advocates.
At the same time, protests linked to immigration enforcement continue across parts of Minnesota. Recent confrontations tied to those operations have resulted in the deaths of two U.S. citizens, including Renee Good and Alex Pretti, a healthcare worker.
