FBI arrests former CNN anchor Don Lemon in investigation over anti-ICE church protest
Last week, a federal appellate court declined to order a lower court judge to sign an arrest warrant for Lemon, alongside four more people, for their role in an anti-ICE protest.
By Tobias Holcman, Jerusalem post, January 30,02026
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-885086
Former CNN news anchor Don Lemon was arrested on Friday, according to a CBS report and a Reuters inquiry with officials from the US Department of Justice.
"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," US Attorney-General Pam Bondi said in a statement.
Lemon's attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement that the arrest represented an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment."
"This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court," he said.
"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 added.
Demonstrators carry placards on the day of a general strike to protest U.S. President Donald Trump's deployment of thousands of immigration enforcement officers on the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, January 23, 2026 (credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)"The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work," he concluded.
Lemon's link to Minnesota's church protests
Last week, a federal appellate court declined to order a lower court judge to sign an arrest warrant for Lemon, alongside four more people, for their role in an anti-ICE protest inside a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Multiple people have been arrested in the case related to the protest, where a crowd entered the St. Paul Cities Church after rumors arose of one of its pastors being an ICE official.
The main charges in the case, according to the Department of Justice, were that protesters unlawfully interfered with churchgoers' constitutionally protected freedom to practice religion.
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