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

[Friday Fan]

Based on the indictment, Mr. Lemon at no time states that he is an independent journalist.

He met with protest organizers for a pre-op briefing. He said he was gearing up for a resistance operation against the federal government. He could see crying children and stated that the purpose was to "disrupt". He was asked to leave and did not immediately leave.
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Don Lemon indictment

www.documentcloud.org

I saw part of the video. He specifically states that he is a journalist while he is in the church.

 

[otto]

Imo, the nature of language is inherently ambiguous to some extent. Also imo, many of the landmark cases in American legal history have been concerned with interpretation of the language of the statute. For a recent example, Moore v. United States (2024) required the Court to interpret the meaning of the word "income."

Brief on Moore v. US

The interpretation of the words "interference" and "intimidation" is explained in the indictment.

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Don Lemon indictment

www.documentcloud.org

 

[tlcya]

Regarding the FACE Act, Trump of course pardoned 23 people convicted under the law for interfering with access to abortion clinics.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/23/trump-pardons-abortion-clinic-protesters-00200292

The DOJ also said they would no longer prosecute any FACE Act violations except for severe cases.

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/09/g-s1-52616/abortion-face-act-access-enforcement

Instead, the Justice Department now says it will no longer enforce violations of the statute, except in extraordinary circumstances — such as cases involving death or serious property damage.

I haven't heard that there was any serious damage nor any deaths during this protest. As if consistency or integrity matters with this ridiculous, weaponized DOJ where prosecutions are for political purposes foremost. moo

thank you. Interesting but not surprising IMO.

Are laws only to be upheld when it supports a specific ideology? I would hope not but have seen some pretty scary instances of it IMO lately.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

I asked what is "interfering"? Is it interferring, if someone asks congregants questions after the service was interferred

The church service was already interfered with. Is asking people questions (exercising ones first amendment right) after a church was interferred the same thing?

BTW this administration has lost many court cases because their cases are flawed.

Under the act:

(2) Interfere with.--The term "interfere with" means to restrict a person's freedom of movement.

Civil Rights Division Home Page

The Civil Rights Division provides contact information, as well as detailed information on federally prohibited discrimination, its cases and other activities, and how to file a complaint.

web.archive.org

 

[Ontario Mom]

thank you for sharing the indictment. I think the federal prosecution may have difficulty proving DL physically intimidated, threatened, or trapped anyone by blocking their exit. JMO. I also keep in mind that allegations are just that, until proven in a court of law.

But I do find DL's foreknowledge AND his obvious and stated intent in keeping the group's mission secret so they could take parishioners by surprise troubling and agree his own words and actions would seem to prove he did in fact do just that. I think that may not be at all hard to prove, he makes the case for that himself, without assistance from prosecutors.

I am most curious why two defendants named in the indictment have been redacted. I wonder why that is.

As for proving he blocked exits and physically intimidated people, I can say with 100% assurance, church members either will or already have given statements as to how he interacted with them as they tried to leave and/or tried to get to where the kids were to collect their kids and leave.

I've seen it suggested that the redacted defendants have possibly been cooperative & given statements to corroborate the conspiracy charge. I don't know if that's true, but it certainly is possible.

jmo

 

[Friday Fan]

The interpretation of the words "interference" and "intimidation" is explained in the indictment.

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Don Lemon indictment

www.documentcloud.org

And they used the word "AND" instead of "OR".....

They are staying he did ALL and not just one.


Case won't hold.

 

[Sundog]

I've seen it suggested that the redacted defendants have possibly been cooperative & given statements to corroborate the conspiracy charge. I don't know if that's true, but it certainly is possible.

jmo

Thanks for pointing out this possibility, it makes a lot of sense.

 

[tlcya]

The interpretation of the words "interference" and "intimidation" is explained in the indictment.

View attachment 640905
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Don Lemon indictment

www.documentcloud.org

seems as if this thread will now go the way of the Alex Pretti thread with pages and pages of debate over exactly what constitutes oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction and did DL specifically do those things.

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

Based on the indictment, Mr. Lemon at no time states that he is an independent journalist.

You mean there's a magic word you recite that makes you a member of the press under the law?

 

[303gmf]

It's in the Baptist hymnal and most other Protestant denominations. moo

Baptist Hymnal, Christian Song: Jesus Loves The Little Children- lyrics with PDF for printing

A Collection of 500+ Good Old Baptist Hymns and Spiritual songs, 500+ lyrics with PDF - Hymn: Jesus Loves The Little Children

www.traditionalmusic.co.uk

No idea, I don’t subscribe to any of the thousands of deities worshiped round the planet

 

[Inthedetails]

Cities Church isn't being persecuted for righteousness – Baptist News Global

MAGA churches are not being persecuted for righteousness but for not loving their neighbors, Rodney Kennedy says.

baptistnews.com

Shedding the light so to speak. IMO Maybe a reason for why the protestors were there and why Don Lemon chose to report. IMO

Journalists are tough people. They ask tough questions (imagine that!) that ruffle feathers and they cover tough topics and difficult situations as part of their jobs.

They know, respect, and value the role of the free press in a democracy. A free press is specifically mentioned in our first amendment.

They are not naive, thin-skinned, or weak-kneed, as a whole.

I'm wondering if they took the risk of being at the protest during a white nationalist church service knowing it could get them in hot water....but it was worth it to inform the public that ICE is led by people who are white nationalist influencers (and I easily consider a minister an influencer).

Now we know. I consider it important information.

And that goes along with Stephen Miller "seen as a link between the white nationalist agenda and the Trump White House."

I don't condone disrupting a worship service, while at the same time, I denouce white nationalism.

jmo

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/24/905403716/hatemonger-paints-trump-advisor-stephen-miller-as-a-case-study-in-radicalization

 

[Ontario Mom]

thank you. Interesting but not surprising IMO.

Are laws only to be upheld when it supports a specific ideology? I would hope not but have seen some pretty scary instances of it IMO lately.

That should certainly never be the case.

jmo

 

[tlcya]

As for proving he blocked exits and physically intimidated people, I can say with 100% assurance, church members either will or already have given statements as to how he interacted with them as they tried to leave and/or tried to get to where the kids were to collect their kids and leave.

I've seen it suggested that the redacted defendants have possibly been cooperative & given statements to corroborate the conspiracy charge. I don't know if that's true, but it certainly is possible.

jmo

yes, I was wondering if those redacted names may have gotten themselves a deal in exchange for their cooperation.

As for proving DL blocked exits, I am sure parishioners did give statements, along with the pastor. I would hope there is independent corroborating evidence aside from witness testimony, which can be unreliable, particularly with witnesses who are upset, angry or traumatized. Perhaps the recording done by the church of its service offers that corroboration.

 

[marloweclover]

The interpretation of the words "interference" and "intimidation" is explained in the indictment.

View attachment 640905
p.1

Don Lemon indictment

www.documentcloud.org

Yes, they use those words, because that is the prosecution's view of the events. But for example, what constitutes "oppression," legally? What case law exists that helps to define what it is and is not? Imo this is half of why lawyers exist -- to argue about just such things. The other half is paperwork, lol. But I am going to leave this aspect alone going forward, because IMO it is unanswerable here and now and will just devolve, as a previous poster said.

 

[Sundog]

Journalists are tough people. They ask tough questions (imagine that!) that ruffle feathers and they cover tough topics and difficult situations as part of their jobs.

They know, respect, and value the role of the free press in a democracy. A free press is specifically mentioned in our first amendment.

They are not naive, thin-skinned, or weak-kneed, as a whole.

I'm wondering if they took the risk of being at the protest during a white nationalist church service knowing it could get them in hot water....but it was worth it to inform the public that ICE is led by people who are white nationalist influencers (and I easily consider a minister an influencer).

Now we know. I consider it important information.

And that goes along with Stephen Miller "seen as a link between the white nationalist agenda and the Trump White House."

I don't condone disrupting a worship service while at the same time I denouce white nationalism.

jmo

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/24/905403716/hatemonger-paints-trump-advisor-stephen-miller-as-a-case-study-in-radicalization

Whatever his motives were or what his agenda was, it doesn't justify storming a church and interfering with worshippers at a Sunday service and intimidating and frightening women, children and the elderly. moo

 

[Ontario Mom]

yes, I was wondering if those redacted names may have gotten themselves a deal in exchange for their cooperation.

As for proving DL blocked exits, I am sure parishioners did give statements, along with the pastor. I would hope there is independent corroborating evidence aside from witness testimony, which can be unreliable, particularly with witnesses who are upset, angry or traumatized. Perhaps the recording done by the church of its service offers that corroboration.

Based only on what I know personally that was shared with me, many people were recording along with the A/V team recording for their YT channel. I shared the link earlier that shows this church does record their sermons weekly and they were recording that morning as usual.

 

[303gmf]

Whatever his motives were or what his agenda was, it doesn't justify storming a church and interfering with worshippers at a Sunday service and intimidating and frightening women, children and the elderly. moo

Storm a church?
He covered the news, no storming involved by any measure

 

[Sundog]

Storm a church?
He covered the news, no storming involved by any measure

in your opinion

 

[Gators North]

Journalists are tough people. They ask tough questions (imagine that!) that ruffle feathers and they cover tough topics and difficult situations as part of their jobs.

They know, respect, and value the role of the free press in a democracy. A free press is specifically mentioned in our first amendment.

They are not naive, thin-skinned, or weak-kneed, as a whole.

I'm wondering if they took the risk of being at the protest during a white nationalist church service knowing it could get them in hot water....but it was worth it to inform the public that ICE is led by people who are white nationalist influencers (and I easily consider a minister an influencer).

Now we know. I consider it important information.

And that goes along with Stephen Miller "seen as a link between the white nationalist agenda and the Trump White House."

I don't condone disrupting a worship service while at the same time I denouce white nationalism.

jmo

https://www.npr.org/2020/08/24/905403716/hatemonger-paints-trump-advisor-stephen-miller-as-a-case-study-in-radicalization

Yeah, we’re tough as nails. I don’t have a degree in journalism, but I’m close, and I support the people I do, including Don Lemon and Georgia Fort.

 

[303gmf]

in your opinion

Show us a video where any storming was involved if you want to be taken seriously