On January 30, 2026, federal agents arrested Don Lemon, known for his time as a CNN anchor, over his involvement in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18. Lemon faces serious charges for allegedly violating the FACE Act, which protects against the interference with religious gatherings.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest along with those of three others, including local journalist Georgia Fort and protest participants Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy. "At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon... in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church," Bondi stated on social media.
Lemon, 59, had been in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards when he was taken into custody. His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, criticized the charges, framing them as an attack on press freedom and calling for accountability regarding the recent fatal incidents involving ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Lemon's arrest comes amidst ongoing tensions related to immigration policies and heightened scrutiny of law enforcement activities. Protesters had rallied at the church against the involvement of one of its pastors, who is affiliated with ICE. Lemon maintained that he was merely exercising his rights as a journalist by reporting on the protest and emphasized he was not part of the activism.
The White House, responding to the arrest, posted an image of Lemon on social media, accompanied by a mocking caption, which drew further criticism from free speech advocates. The situation has raised alarm within media circles, with organizations highlighting the potential implications for journalistic freedom and the First Amendment.
As calls for accountability continue in the wake of recent protests and tragic incidents involving federal agents, Lemon and the others arrested are expected to face legal proceedings in the coming weeks. The public discourse surrounding their arrests is likely to intensify as the intersection of press freedoms and law enforcement actions remains a focal point in ongoing debates.