Former CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested in connection with Minnesota church protest

Don Lemon, a former prime-time anchor for CNN, was arrested by federal authorities late Jan. 29 in connection with an anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protest that disrupted a Sunday church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, earlier this month.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Lemon’s Los Angeles arrest in a social media post, saying he and three others — Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy — were taken into custody “at my direction” in connection with the “coordinated attack” on the church’s worship service.

Lemon is expected to make his first court appearance Jan. 30. Federal prosecutors have not yet publicly detailed the specific charges against him, though officials have indicated he may face prosecution under federal civil rights statutes.

The Cities Church incident unfolded Jan. 18 when a group of protesters entered the building, chanting and interrupting the congregation. Protesters alleged that one of the church’s pastors — David Easterwood, according to NBC News — had ties to ICE. Lemon, who was among the protesters, livestreamed portions of the disruption. 

As Zeale News previously reported, the Department of Justice quickly opened a civil rights investigation into whether Lemon violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which prohibits physical obstruction, intimidation, or interference at abortion facilities and places of worship.

In a statement published by FOX News, Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said Lemon was “simply doing his job” as a journalist and entered the church solely to report on the protest, making it “constitutionally protected work.” 

“Don was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards,” Lowell said, later adding, “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.”

Lemon left CNN in 2023, when he was ousted by then-network head Chris Licht. The former anchor now operates as an independent journalist, producing content on YouTube and Substack.

Cities Church Head Pastor Jonathan Parnell responded to the arrest in a statement to The Daily Signal, saying he is “grateful that the Department of Justice acted swiftly to protect” the church.

“The freedom to worship God without fear of violence and intimidation is a fundamental right that defines who we are as Americans,” Parnell said. “True North Legal and Cities Church are grateful that the Department of Justice is committed to upholding that freedom and is holding the agitators who invaded the church accountable.”

The latest arrests follow the Jan. 22 apprehension of three other individuals — Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly — who allegedly participated in the same disruption. As Zeale News reported at the time, officials said those individuals were charged under the federal “conspiracy against rights” statute, which makes it a crime to conspire “to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate” individuals in the free exercise of their constitutional rights, including the right to religious worship.