Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents Thursday night in Los Angeles, multiple sources confirmed to major news outlets. The arrest stems from his involvement in a January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where anti-immigration enforcement demonstrators disrupted a church service.
Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, confirmed the journalist was arrested while covering the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. According to The New York Times, FBI and HSI agents were involved in the arrest. The specific charges Lemon faces remain unclear, though reports indicate he may be charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and violations of the FACE Act.
The incident at the Minnesota church has sparked intense debate about press freedom and law enforcement. Protesters entered Cities Church after discovering that one of the pastors reportedly serves as the acting field director of the St. Paul ICE field office.
Lowell issued a strong statement defending 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 attorney stated. “The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”
The attorney went on to criticize the Justice Department’s priorities. “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.
Lemon has maintained he was at the church solely in his capacity as a journalist. He has stated he had no affiliation with the protest organizers and was simply documenting the events as they unfolded.
The arrest comes after a complicated legal battle. Last week, a federal magistrate judge rejected prosecutors’ initial attempt to charge Lemon. However, the Justice Department pursued alternative avenues to bring charges against the journalist.
Several other individuals connected to the protest have also been arrested. Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Louisa Allen were taken into custody earlier, along with William Kelly.
“This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand,” Lowell declared. He confirmed that Lemon “will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
The case has intensified tensions between media organizations and the current administration. Press freedom advocates are closely monitoring the situation as it develops.
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