Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon Was Arrested

Journalist Don Lemon was arrested Thursday night, according to a statement from his attorney, after covering an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Earlier this month, Lemon was present as dozens of demonstrators entered Cities Church during a service, disrupting proceedings and sparking tense confrontations. Authorities later accused participants of trespassing and interfering with religious worship.

Attorney Cites Press Freedom Concerns

Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said federal agents detained Lemon in Los Angeles while he was covering the Grammy Awards. Lowell emphasized that Lemon was acting strictly in a journalistic capacity.

“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, adding that the arrest represents “an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment.”

Lowell also criticized the Justice Department, arguing that its focus on Lemon contrasts with unresolved concerns surrounding the deaths of protesters during the Minnesota demonstrations.

Justice Department’s Position

Senior Justice Department officials have stated that Lemon may face charges, asserting that he had no legal right to remain on the church’s private property. Officials also argued that interrupting a religious service could infringe upon the constitutional rights of churchgoers.

Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the protest during a visit to Minneapolis, describing the scene as “horrific” in a televised interview, though she did not mention Lemon by name.

Lemon Denies Being a Protester

Lemon, a former CNN anchor, has maintained that he attended the demonstration solely as a journalist. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, he is heard saying, “I’m just here photographing, I’m not part of the group… I’m a journalist.”

The case is expected to intensify discussions around the boundaries between journalism, protest coverage, and law enforcement authority.