what did don lemon do to get arrested

Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor turned independent journalist, was arrested by federal authorities on January 29, 2026, in Los Angeles. His arrest stems from his involvement in covering and livestreaming an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2026.

Incident Details

The protest targeted Cities Church, where demonstrators interrupted services due to one pastor's ties to ICE leadership. Lemon was on-site for over seven hours, filming protesters chanting "ICE out" as they entered the building and confronted worshippers. He identified himself as a journalist when challenged, but authorities later pursued charges despite initial court dismissals for lack of evidence.

Lemon's attorney, Abbe Lowell, called it an "unprecedented assault on the First Amendment," vowing a vigorous defense. Three others were also arrested: independent journalist Georgia Fort (NABJ Minnesota VP), Hernen Crew, and Jamael Lydell Lundy. Fort was taken into custody separately, describing federal agents at her door over her media coverage.

Charges and Context

Charges reportedly involve interference with religious freedom under laws like the Enforcement Act of 1871 (Ku Klux Klan Act). U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi described it as a "coordinated attack" on the church. A federal grand jury indicted them recently, with Fort's hearing set for January 30 in Minneapolis.

This unfolds amid heightened Trump administration immigration enforcement, with ICE facing protests over deportations. An appeals court had previously upheld a magistrate's dismissal of charges against Lemon, but prosecutors pushed forward.

Public Reactions

• Supporters : Many view it as journalist persecution, with Lowell emphasizing press freedoms. Social media and forums highlight First Amendment concerns.

• Critics : Some argue entering a church to protest or film post-request to leave crosses into disruption, not protected speech. Reddit threads question media involvement in activism.

• Trending Buzz : Coverage spiked on January 30, linking to broader ICE tensions and Lemon's post-CNN career. YouTube clips mix outrage with mockery of his past CNN tenure.

Aspect| Pro-Lemon View| Critical View
---|---|---
Role| Protected journalism 1| Active disruption 7
Legal| First Amendment violation 4| Valid church interference 3
Timing| Pre-Grammys arrest suspicious 1| Grand jury-based, unrelated 3

TL;DR : Lemon's arrest ties to filming an anti-ICE church protest; he and others face religious interference charges, sparking free press debates.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.