MN - Journalist Don Lemon arrested for church protest, Minneapolis, 18 Jan 2026

[Cryptic]

An independent journalist is a reporter or writer who isn't tied to a single large media corporation or government, offering unbiased news free from corporate or political influence, often working as a freelancer or through platforms like Substack to report on issues and hold power accountable, serving the public interest directly. They focus on editorial independence, using various digital tools to deliver unvarnished facts and contribute to informed public debate.
Why They Matter

• • Informed Decisions:
    They provide the public with facts needed for informed decisions on important issues.
  • Accountability:
    They hold institutions accountable by challenging authority and exposing wrongdoing.
  • Diverse Perspectives:
    They bring diverse voices and investigative angles to the media landscape, especially in areas with constrained media freedom.

Though I have no idea as to whether this is a legal definition.

Its is very obvious that anybody can be an "independent journalist"- wink, nod, giggle, giggle at anytime as nearly everything in the "definition" is a matter of opinion.

 

[Cryptic]

Many pastors, who are not affiliated with a white supremacist Christian nationalist church, have other jobs that are not related to evicting brown people, who may or may not be legal immigrants, from the country they live in.

MOO

Thinking that the definition of White Supremacy Church is (n): If I don't like who worships there, it is a white supremacy church, because if I like the people there, it would not be a white supremacy church.

Now..... apply this definition to "Terrorist Mosque" and I bet the moderators get bent out of shape fast.

Any definitions for "Zionist Synagogue"- anyone, anyone? And another one "Hinduvata Temple"? Any takers, any one at all?

What actions might be justified against say, Terrorist Mosques, Zionist Synagogues and Hinuvata Temples? Can ohh so independent journalists barge in a "interview" their leaders at any time?

 

[keek]

Boohoo

Imo

There you go!! The reason for this church is being exposed which is a good thing in the fight against white nationalism, it has started. It would be a good thing if some of the members spoke out about why they chose this particular church brand. So many churches pop up under the name of Christian. That term we know is also used as a hidey hole for other types of preaching and the people who relate. Yes, that means to them they can call themselves Christians. It will become clear in the upcoming days, the reason DL chose to expose that particular pastor and church. IMO

 

[Emerald1328]

(rbbm)
There were two IMO’s on that post. imo

That’s good to know. Then the response shouldn’t be “do own your research”.

Edit: IMO (not to make light of the situation )

 

[Cryptic]

If Don Lemon is not a "journalist" then neither are Meghan Kelly, Tucker Carlson, or Joe Rogan.

MOO

If any of those people barge into what some might deem a "Terrorist Mosque" to "interview" wink, nod, an Imam about terrorism, they need to get prosecuted and jailed fast.

 

[CSIDreamer]

His defense will likely be he was there as a journalist not a protest participant. That makes it a core issue.

It's my opinion that the protesters (whether that group included Lemon as protester or journalist) chose that particular church BECAUSE it is a white nationalist congregation with a leader who is with ICE.

They didn't pick a church like mine that is not white nationalist.

So, the type of church is indeed part of the story, as distasteful and likely illegal as it is that a church service was interrupted (which I repeat once again that I don't approve of).

jmopinion

I think this is precedent setting, though. While the type of church may be a chapter in the book so to speak, the whole book is the larger story.

Can someone *known* as a former network journalist, then as an independent journalist, help plan a church protest the way he did (he used the word reconnaissance to describe his own actions), and then play victim (playing the victim is how people avoid responsibility IMO) to avoid prosecution under a very real FACE Act?

 

[303gmf]

If any of those people barge into what some might deem a "Terrorist Mosque" to "interview" an Imam about terrorism, they need to get prosecuted and jailed fast.

Conflating, whataboutism on full display

 

[303gmf]

I think this is precedent setting, though. While the type of church may be a chapter in the book so to speak, the whole book is the larger story.

Can someone *known* as a former network journalist, then as an independent journalist, help plan a church protest the way he did (he used the word reconnaissance to describe his own actions), and then play victim (playing the victim is how people avoid responsibility IMO) to avoid prosecution under a very real FACE Act?

The Johnson Amendment with strong jaws is sorely needed

 

[Cryptic]

Conflating, whataboutism on full display

No really.

One journalist disrupted the services of what some may deem to be a "White Supremacist Church". Thinking that there might be similar idiot journalists out there willing to disrupt what others deem to be a "Terrorist Mosque".

All journalists of who do this need to go to jail- fast.

 

[CSIDreamer]

The Johnson Amendment with strong jaws is sorely needed

Do you have proof this particular church is involved in political campaigning or is this just a generalized comment?

 

[303gmf]

Do you have proof this particular church is involved in political campaigning or is this just a generalized comment?

I believe way too many are

Taxing them would help

 

[MrsWatson]

Thinking that the definition of White Supremacy Church is (n): If I don't like who worships there, it is a white supremacy church, because if I like the people there, it would not be a white supremacy church.

Now..... apply this definition to "Terrorist Mosque" and I bet the moderators get bent out of shape fast.

Any definitions for "Zionist Synagogue"- anyone, anyone? And another one "Hinduvata Temple"? Any takers, any one at all?

What actions might be justified against say, Terrorist Mosques, Zionist Synagogues and Hinuvata Temples? Can ohh so independent journalists barge in a "interview" their leaders at any time?

BBM

That may be your opinion. It is not mine. My opinion is to denounce white supremacist beliefs and not be affiliated with any religious group that espouses those beliefs.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I believe way too many are

Taxing them would help

Can't disagree with that. Losing that 501(c)(3) might lead some folks to repentance. JMO

 

[otto]

The law that you cited implied that it is illegal for anybody ("journalist, non journalist etc) to interfere with a worship service. That might include following people in and giving "interviews".

In short, Lemon might not need to be part of a "protest". Rather, he might just have needed to have disrupt the service.

This law: the FACE Act.

I agree. Don Lemon entered a church with a camera and microphone during a religious meeting. He filmed adult and children members of the church, and interrupted the religious meeting to ask questions.

"Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit:

(2) intentionally injuring, intimidating, or interfering with, or attempting to injure, intimidate, or interfere, any person by force, threat of force, or physical obstruction exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship;"

https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/636

 

[CSIDreamer]

Maybe start another thread on white nationalist churches? Otherwise, not sure it has anything to do with this thread.

Agreed.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

No, I’m not going to do the research for you.

So you want to make an assertion, and then claim the evidence is out there, but you won't provide it. Pretty sure there is no such evidence and that's why you refuse to provide it. So back to my original statement: Lemon did nothing you claim.

MOO.

 

[K9Enzo]

There you go!! The reason for this church is being exposed which is a good thing in the fight against white nationalism, it has started. It would be a good thing if some of the members spoke out about why they chose this particular church brand. So many churches pop up under the name of Christian. That term we know is also used as a hidey hole for other types of preaching and the people who relate. Yes, that means to them they can call themselves Christians. It will become clear in the upcoming days, the reason DL chose to expose that particular pastor and church. IMO

Those church members don’t owe protesters, agitators , Don Lemon or any Joe Public any explanation, zero. They were there to worship not be dragged into someone else’s political crusade. IMO

 

[Ontario Mom]

I think this is precedent setting, though. While the type of church may be a chapter in the book so to speak, the whole book is the larger story.

Can someone *known* as a former network journalist, then as an independent journalist, help plan a church protest the way he did (he used the word reconnaissance to describe his own actions), and then play victim (playing the victim is how people avoid responsibility IMO) to avoid prosecution under a very real FACE Act?

The type of church doesn't matter at all, according to the federal statutes that the grand jury found were violated. That's the important part.

Literally, even if it was the Church of Satan, they have the same federal protections under the law that any other recognized religious house of worship has. (I have no idea if they're actually a recognized church but my point stands).

jmo

 

[K9Enzo]

IMO start by looking at the title of this thread.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

If I take a moment to stop and thnk about this
It would seem to me that both his "jobs" are complimentary sharing similar views -
In lock step with one another perhaps


JMO

The members of this church do find the two not only complimentary, but their mission:

"Naselli appeared with former Cities Church pastor Joe Rigney, who currently is on staff with Doug Wilson in Moscow, Idaho, on the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast with William Wolfe this week to discuss the fallout from his prayer in light of the Renee Good shooting.

“We’re trying to build a civilization,” Rigney proclaimed.

Naselli added, “We’re building and fighting for God’s glory,” mentioning the possibility of flipping Minnesota red.

To do this, they’re ignoring sharing the gospel with anyone who might lean to the left and are focusing on MAGA Republicans. As Naselli put it, he’s not interested in reaching “liberal blue elite people,” but “non-Christian, red leaning people who are like Elon Musk” who “have common sense.”

One way they’re building their civilization is through the promotion of ICE. Wolfe said, “ICE might be one of the most critical government agencies in our nation right now. In many ways, they’re the heroes.”

He went on to say Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer who killed Renee Good, is an “All American hero.”

So why are we surprised one of the Cities Church pastors would be a director for ICE?

Naselli explained, “In my church, we’re pretty united there in that we believe Romans 13 that government exists to reward the good and punish the evil”

Let’s talk about how Cities Church treats women – Baptist News Global

To understand pastors of Cities Church, examine where they came from, how they view authority, submission, gender and punishment.

baptistnews.com