ACCUSED and ARRESTED: Don Lemon in CROSSHAIRS

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents for his participation in a disruptive anti-ICE protest that violated churchgoers’ constitutional right to religious freedom, exposing the left’s willingness to trample on First Amendment protections for worship while hypocritically claiming press freedom exemptions.

Story Snapshot

Don Lemon arrested Thursday night in Los Angeles for disrupting a Sunday church service during January 18 anti-ICE protest in St. Paul, Minnesota
Attorney General Pam Bondi personally directed the arrest after a local judge improperly rejected charges despite probable cause
Lemon’s attorney claims press freedom defense while DOJ pursues civil rights violations for interfering with religious exercise
Federal grand jury bypassed local judge’s rejection, enabling charges against Lemon and other protesters who stormed Cities Church

Federal Arrest Following Church Disruption

FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents took Don Lemon into custody Thursday night, January 29, 2026, at a Los Angeles hotel while he covered the Grammy Awards. The arrest stems from his participation in an anti-ICE protest on January 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators disrupted a Sunday worship service. Attorney General Pam Bondi personally directed the arrest, announcing on social media that Lemon participated in a coordinated attack on the church. The action followed a federal grand jury empanelment that enabled charges after a Minneapolis magistrate judge improperly dismissed the case.

Protesters Target Church Over Pastor’s ICE Role

Anti-ICE activists stormed Cities Church after discovering one pastor serves as the acting field director of the St. Paul ICE office. The protesters interrupted the Sunday service, violating the religious freedom of congregants peacefully exercising their constitutional rights. At least three other demonstrators faced arrest and charges for interfering with religious exercise in recent days. This represents a disturbing trend of leftist activists targeting places of worship and disrupting constitutionally protected religious gatherings when congregations or clergy hold views opposing open-border policies.

First Amendment Defense Contradicts Religious Rights Violations

Lemon’s attorney Abbe Lowell claims the arrest represents an unprecedented attack on press freedom, arguing his client attended as a journalist covering the protest. However, this defense ignores the fundamental constitutional violation committed against churchgoers whose First Amendment right to free exercise of religion was trampled by protesters. A federal appellate judge found probable cause existed for charges, contradicting the local magistrate’s dismissal. The Justice Department properly pursued federal civil rights charges for interfering with religious freedom, a cornerstone protection that cannot be overridden by claims of journalistic activity when participation crosses into criminal disruption.

Federal Override Restores Accountability After Local Failure

The Trump administration’s Justice Department correctly escalated federal action after the Minneapolis magistrate judge failed to uphold probable cause despite clear evidence. Attorney General Bondi’s intervention demonstrates appropriate federal oversight when local judicial decisions compromise civil rights enforcement. The grand jury process provided proper legal channels to pursue charges against individuals who violated religious freedom protections. This case establishes necessary precedent that journalists cannot claim blanket immunity when participating in protests that disrupt constitutionally protected activities, particularly the sacred right of Americans to worship without interference or intimidation from activist mobs.

🚨 BREAKING: Former CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested for storming and interrupting a Minneapolis church service and harassing congregation members. He appears in court TODAY!

Finally! FAFO!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼pic.twitter.com/K4hzpPlm4q

— Real Virginian Politics 🇺🇸 (@RVPatriot1776) January 30, 2026

Lemon’s defense team attempts to deflect attention by criticizing DOJ priorities, citing unrelated protest incidents. However, prosecuting violations of religious freedom represents a core Justice Department responsibility under federal civil rights law. The charges appropriately focus on protecting churchgoers’ constitutional rights rather than political considerations. This prosecution sends a clear message that houses of worship remain protected spaces where Americans can freely exercise their faith without fear of disruption, regardless of protesters’ claimed motivations or the media profiles of those who participate in such violations.