Former CNN journalist Don Lemon has been arrested in reference to an incident by which anti-ICE protesters disrupted a service at a Minnesota church, a number of sources advised ABC Information.
The incident unfolded on Jan. 18, when protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul. The protesters stated one of many pastors is the performing area director of the St. Paul ICE area workplace.
A bunch of protesters interrupt companies on the Cities Church in St. Paul by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” Jan. 18, 2026.
Communicate Mpls by way of AP
A bunch of protesters interrupt companies on the Cities Church in St. Paul by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” Jan. 18, 2026.
Communicate Mpls by way of AP
Lemon’s legal professional, Abbe Lowell, stated Lemon was taken into custody by federal brokers Thursday evening whereas he was masking the Grammy Awards.
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no totally different than what he has all the time performed,” Lowell stated. “The First Modification exists to guard journalists whose position it’s to shine gentle on the reality and maintain these in energy accountable.”
Don Lemon attends the Apple TV+ premiere of “The Morning Present” Season 4 at The Museum of Fashionable Artwork, Sept. 9, 2025, in New York.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
“As an alternative of investigating the federal brokers who killed two peaceable Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Division is devoting its time, consideration and sources to this case,” Lowell stated, calling the arrest an “try and distract consideration from the various crises going through this administration.”
Lowell referred to as Lemon’s arrest an “unprecedented assault on the First Modification” and stated the journalist “will battle these costs vigorously and completely in court docket.”
At the least three individuals had been arrested in reference to the protest as of Jan. 22.
Lowell stated at the moment {that a} Justice of the Peace decide rejected costs in opposition to Lemon.
Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi warned on social media on the evening of the protest that “If state leaders refuse to behave responsibly to forestall lawlessness, this Division of Justice will stay mobilized to prosecute federal crimes and be sure that the rule of legislation prevails.”
Bondi final week was “enraged” on the Justice of the Peace decide’s resolution to not convey costs in opposition to Lemon, a supply advised ABC Information.
This can be a growing story. Please examine again for updates.
