Former CNN anchor Don Lemon who reported Minnesota church protest arrested by federal agents

According to Reuters, Lemon is charged with conspiring to deprive others of their civil rights and violating the FACE Act by allegedly obstructing access to a house of worship. arrested him in Los Angeles, the source said.

According to Lowell, Lemon was reporting and did livestream a demonstration on January 18 that interrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a local official with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement serves as a pastor.

Lemon’s lawyer called his arrest an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment,” referring to the US Constitution’s guarantees of freedom of speech and of the press.

Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023, has said he has no affiliation with the organization that went into the church and that he was there as a journalist chronicling protesters.

“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” Lowell said in a statement.

“The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on social media Friday morning, confirming the arrest of Lemon and the others who were present during the protest.

“At my direction, early this morning, federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,” Bondi said.

Since he left CNN, Lemon has joined the legion of journalists who have gone into business for themselves, posting regularly on YouTube. He hasn’t hidden his disdain for President Donald Trump. Yet during his online show from the church, he said repeatedly, “I’m not here as an activist. I’m here as a journalist.”

He described the scene in front of him and interviewed churchgoers and demonstrators.

A magistrate last week rejected prosecutors’ initial bid to charge the veteran journalist. Shortly after, he predicted on his show that the administration would try again.

“And guess what,” he said. “Here I am. Keep trying. That’s not going to stop me from being a journalist. That’s not going to diminish my voice. Go ahead, make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel, if you want. Just do it. Because I’m not going anywhere.”