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

[LAborn]

Don Lemon has been charged with violating federal laws related to religious freedom after participating in a protest that disrupted a worship service at a Minnesota church. The charges stem from allegations that he conspired to interfere with the First Amendment rights of worshippers during the protest against an immigration enforcement official who served as a pastor at the church.

There are many church groups out there with different views. The Satanic Temple is recognized as a religious organization and claims the right to religious freedom under the First Amendment, advocating for civil rights and the separation of church and state.

Lemon is a journalist who was not part of the protest. He's on audio stating he was only there documenting and not part of the group. That's the profession of journalism to witness and report. His rights are protected under the 1st amendment--"Freedom of the press". https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/

First Amendment​

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Lastly, these same charges were thrown out by another federal magistrate two weeks ago because they are baseless.

 

[otto]

I agree, the church’s affiliation is somewhat irrelevant to the discussion. My only thought is in order for the DOJ to win this case, they will have to show proof that Mr Lemon conspired with the protestors to plan this demonstration, and that he acted as a protestor and not a journalist by doing that. As I stated before, we do not need to debate if Don Lemon is a journalist - we all know he is (whether or not we like him or agree with his stance and how he reports the news). He IS a journalist. He was in that church as a journalist, he stated this many times. But to me, the only way the DOJ will win is if they prove he was part of the planning of the protest. Otherwise, his first amendment rights as a journalist override any Congressional acts. All MOO.

There are some paragraphs in the indictment that suggest more involvement than that of independent observer and journalist. For example, Lemon attending a meeting with organizers that were gearing up for a resistance operation against the government might be a problem. Maybe it doesn't matter.

If protesters had done this at any location other than a church, no one would object. If reporting had been done outside the church, again, not a problem.

The issue that I think is problematic is taking a protest inside a church during a religious meeting where children are present. Why is there a complete absence of respect for the rights of those children? In my opinion, it muddies the cause when the rights of others are violated during that "resistance operation".

That is, they violate the rights of others while objecting the the violation of the rights of others. It becomes: do as I say, not as I do.

My understanding is that, initially, the target of the protest was a man who was not at the church. Then the target moved and became an allegation that people who attend the church are white-supremacists.

The goal was resistance against federal immigration policy. Was anyone in the church during the protest responsible for immigration policy?

Don Lemon indictment

www.documentcloud.org

 

[Cryptic]

Of course I can't find the video now, but Don Lemon is on audio/video saying he was there to document, he wasn't part of the protest (someone asked him at the time, in the church)

It might not matter. The law appears to state that it is illegal for anybody to disrupt a church service. That might include a journalist barging into "interview" people.

I strongly suspect that there why only the indies showed up.

 

[Barbb]

Lemon is a journalist who was not part of the protest. He's on audio stating he was only there documenting and not part of the group. That's the profession of journalism to witness and report. His rights are protected under the 1st amendment--"Freedom of the press". https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/

First Amendment​

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Lastly, these same charges were thrown out by another federal magistrate two weeks ago because they are baseless.

"He's on audio stating he was only there documenting and not part of the group". Of course he would say this. His motivation not to be charged with violating federal laws.

Don Lemon and the protesters allegedly engaged in intimidating behavior that obstructed church members from exiting, causing fear among children and congregants during the disruption. There is video evidence of that.

 

[LAborn]

"He's on audio stating he was only there documenting and not part of the group". Of course he would say this. His motivation not to be charged with violating federal laws.

Don Lemon and the protesters allegedly engaged in intimidating behavior that obstructed church members from exiting, causing fear among children and congregants during the disruption. There is video evidence of that.

He's a journalist for over 30 years!!! I was watching his stream on that day, he was reporting on the ground in Minnesota, and someone suggested he check out the church. He had no idea what was going on prior. All his videos are posted on his Youtube channel if you want to see for yourself. Highly recommend.

"A journalist is a professional who gathers, writes, and reports on news and current events. They are responsible for investigating and uncovering important information, and presenting it to the public through various mediums such as newspapers, magazines, television, and online publications. Journalists play a critical role in informing the public and holding those in power accountable. They must possess strong research, writing, and interviewing skills, as well as the ability to think critically and objectively." https://jobs.community.kaplan.com/career/journalist

 

[LAborn]

 

[Ontario Mom]

Why is there a complete absence of respect for the rights of those children?

Good question. At least one of the protesters that Lemon was with, was screaming in their faces and telling them their parents were going to hell, and that their parents worshipped Satan. Those kids (and their parents) were horrified.

Mind boggling that this doesn't infuriate everyone but here we are.

 

[LAborn]

Good question. At least one of the protesters that Lemon was with, was screaming in their faces and telling them their parents were going to hell, and that their parents worshipped Satan. Those kids (and their parents) were horrified.

Mind boggling that this doesn't infuriate everyone but here we are.

Lemon wasn't "with" any of the protesters, he is/was a journalist covering a story. Like journalist do.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

Is one of the questions: when someone posts on social media that they intend to violate federal law, such as the FACE Act (or any other law), should journalists rush to the scene to film the violation of law? Should journalists interview the persons whose rights have been violated to ask how it feels?

Is that journalism, or voyeurism?

Seems like very obvious journalism to me!

 

[otto]

Good question. At least one of the protesters that Lemon was with, was screaming in their faces and telling them their parents were going to hell, and that their parents worshipped Satan. Those kids (and their parents) were horrified.

Mind boggling that this doesn't infuriate everyone but here we are.

Protesting the violation of rights in the US is necessary, but scaring children and other people in a church is not really any different than immigration officers arresting a 5 year old child to scare his father. Using children to achieve a goal is where everyone, including journalists, should draw the line.

 

[Summerliz03]

Good question. At least one of the protesters that Lemon was with, was screaming in their faces and telling them their parents were going to hell, and that their parents worshipped Satan. Those kids (and their parents) were horrified.

Mind boggling that this doesn't infuriate everyone but here we are.

I’ve stated in this thread and agreed with other posters that protesting inside any church should not happen. That goes even for churches who message I don’t agree with - that’s why we have freedom of religion.

What the thread is about is if Don Lemon acted as a protestor or a journalist. Was Don Lemon screaming in people’s faces? Was he physically blocking doorways? Was he threatening people or calling them names? If he did, we need to see proof. If he colluded with and was part of the planning process of the protest, we need to see proof. That is the entire basis of the case - not whether protesters were wrong to protest inside a church. It’s if Don Lemon was a protestor or a journalist. The DOJ must prove this. I personally do not believe they have enough evidence to prove this, but I’m open to changing my mind if we see proof of him being an active protestor or helping to plan the event.

All MOO.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Lemon wasn't "with" any of the protesters, he is/was a journalist covering a story. Like journalist do.

Clearly we disagree. The grand jury also disagreed, which is why he was indicted.
So, I'll leave it at that.

 

[otto]

Good question. At least one of the protesters that Lemon was with, was screaming in their faces and telling them their parents were going to hell, and that their parents worshipped Satan. Those kids (and their parents) were horrified.

Mind boggling that this doesn't infuriate everyone but here we are.

Telling children that they are in the house of the devil could permanently scar young children. Hands up don't shoot could result in children and their families fearing that someone has a gun and that they will be shot.

It sounds like it was a traumatic experience for people attending church that morning ... in my opinion ...

FBI Affidavit in Suport of Arrest Warrant | PDF | U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement | American Government

This affidavit, submitted by Special Agent Timothy Gerber, outlines the investigation into a group of agitators who disrupted a religious service at Cities Church in St. Paul, MN on January 18, 2026. The group, led by Nekima Valdez Levy-Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, coordinated their...

www.scribd.com

 

[Ontario Mom]

I’ve stated in this thread and agreed with other posters that protesting inside any church should not happen. That goes even for churches who message I don’t agree with - that’s why we have freedom of religion.

What the thread is about is if Don Lemon acted as a protestor or a journalist. Was Don Lemon screaming in people’s faces? Was he physically blocking doorways? Was he threatening people or calling them names? If he did, we need to see proof. If he colluded with and was part of the planning process of the protest, we need to see proof. That is the entire basis of the case - not whether protesters were wrong to protest inside a church. It’s if Don Lemon was a protestor or a journalist. The DOJ must prove this. I personally do not believe they have enough evidence to prove this, but I’m open to changing my mind if we see proof of him being an active protestor or helping to plan the event.

All MOO.

It's good to know you agree protesting in churches should not happen.

I believe (based on what I know) and the grand jury believed based on all the evidence they had available to them, that Don Lemon was indeed with the protestors inside the church, engaging in utterly inexcusable behavior, violating federal law.

jmo

 

[Spacemonkey1975]

It's a show of force -
You think you have rights ?
Watch this !
Pushing the envelope
They all believe that the law does not apply to them -
Judges orders ? they are immune to those too
And it all comes with a side of chaos
It's the sF
Fear/Compliance is the point
JMO

I fear you are right

 

[Summerliz03]

It's good to know you agree protesting in churches should not happen.

I believe (based on what I know) and the grand jury believed based on all the evidence they had available to them, that Don Lemon was indeed with the protestors inside the church, engaging in utterly inexcusable behavior, violating federal law.

jmo

”A grand jury would indict a ham sandwich” - Chief Judge Sol Wachtler. I don’t think a grand jury indictment is a slam dunk, as they are presented with only the prosecutions side with zero evidence or rebuttal from the defense. I think the fact that 2 different judges refused to issue an arrest warrant (one was a singular judge, one was a panel of 3 judges) says more about the case than the fact that the DOJ was able to find a Grand Jury to indict.

As I stated before, I’m willing to keep an open mind and change my opinion on the case if more actual facts and proof is shown that Don Lemon was part of the planning process of this protest. I hope that people who seem very set in their opinions on this case can also remain open minded as we learn more. But I also see a huge violation of his first amendment right of free press and that’s the real heart of this case. All MOO.

 

[LAborn]

”A grand jury would indict a ham sandwich” - Chief Judge Sol Wachtler. I don’t think a grand jury indictment is a slam dunk, as they are presented with only the prosecutions side with zero evidence or rebuttal from the defense. I think the fact that 2 different judges refused to issue an arrest warrant (one was a singular judge, one was a panel of 3 judges) says more about the case than the fact that the DOJ was able to find a Grand Jury to indict.

As I stated before, I’m willing to keep an open mind and change my opinion on the case if more actual facts and proof is shown that Don Lemon was part of the planning process of this protest. I hope that people who seem very set in their opinions on this case can also remain open minded as we learn more. But I also see a huge violation of his first amendment right of free press and that’s the real heart of this case. All MOO.

By chance I was watching his live stream that day. He had no knowledge ahead of time, nor part of the planning. He makes a practice of asking questions of people he comes in contact with while on the ground, and was told about some gathering at a church. He was respectful even about entering the church, asking people outside about what was going on. As far as I could tell he was there briefly documenting, then left. For what it's worth....

 

[Summerliz03]

By chance I was watching his live stream that day. He had no knowledge ahead of time, nor part of the planning. He makes a practice of asking questions of people he comes in contact with while on the ground, and was told about some gathering at a church. For what it's worth....

I truly think to prove this case, the DOJ will need actual hard proof, like a text chain where Don Lemon himself was planning or organizing this protest. They can’t just say “he was with the protestors, he’s a protestor” as their only proof, as he was actively acting as a reporter in every video and his own live stream. I understand people are very upset that a church was being protested against and I don’t disagree that is an issue. But it comes down to Don Lemon being there as a journalist. Journalists report on news that is controversial, uncomfortable and sometimes illegal. That’s part of their job. All MOO

 

[LAborn]

I truly think to prove this case, the DOJ will need actual hard proof, like a text chain where Don Lemon himself was planning or organizing this protest. They can’t just say “he was with the protestors, he’s a protestor” as their only proof, as he was actively acting as a reporter in every video and his own live stream. I understand people are very upset that a church was being protested against and I don’t disagree that is an issue. But it comes down to Don Lemon being there as a journalist. Journalists report on news that is controversial, uncomfortable and sometimes illegal. That’s part of their job. All MOO

Agree 100%.

 

[otto]

I'm actually shocked anyone would support an American journalist being arrested for practicing journalism. Scary times in America.

That's the question - whether the man was a journalist or an agitator. Did he have an opinion about the people in the church prior to asking them questions, or was he gathering information so that his audience could form an independent opinion?

As a journalist, did he consider the FACE Act? Did he consider the rights of children in church? If he was still employed by CNN, and governed by their professional code of conduct, ethics and standards, would he have filmed families in church with the message that they are white supremacists?