Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested on charges that he violated federal law during a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minn., this month, lawyers and Justice Department officials said on Friday, reviving a case that was rejected last week by a magistrate judge.
Here’s a statement released by Lemon’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell.
From the New York Times:
Mr. Lemon has said he was simply reporting as a journalist when he entered the Cities Church on Jan. 18 to observe a demonstration against the immigration crackdown in the area.
But the magistrate judge who reviewed the evidence approved charges against only three of the people, rejecting the evidence against Mr. Lemon and the others as insufficient.
The Justice Department then petitioned a federal appeals court to force the judge to issue the additional warrants, only to be denied.
Now that he has been arrested, Mr. Lemon is likely to challenge the prosecution’s case by arguing that he was not protesting, but rather covering the event as a journalist.
After two denials, you have to wonder if the federal agents even HAD a warrant to arrest him…?
The White House bragged about the arrest on X posted a photo of Lemon with the caption, “When life gives you lemons…” followed by chain emojis.
Lemon has been an established journalist for over 30 years. It’s pretty clear this is a First Amendment violation of his rights, and the charges will be tossed.
Journalism is not a crime. The Justice Department should investigate the federal agents who killed US citizens in broad daylight, not arrest reporters like Don Lemon.
“At my direction”
After two judges rejected DOJ efforts https://t.co/VstNAoHsqL— Jake Tapper 🦅 (@jaketapper) January 30, 2026
“We’re not with the activists we’re just reporting on them.”
This is from Don Lemon’s reporting at the St. Paul church. Arresting journalists for simply highlighting what’s happening in this country is a gross violation of our First Amendment rights.
He must be released… pic.twitter.com/4I3sKYtuw4
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) January 30, 2026
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