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

[Cryptic]

For all I know Lemon was interviewing people when they were leaving. He did not disrupt the service in order to interview anybody. If you have any evidence showing otherwise, please share.

MOO

If Don Lemon does not want to squeeze in to a jail cell, he may need a different defense than: "Hey, after we barged in on the service, it ended early. So.... no service, no foul- right".

Don Lemon, however, has apparently retained a power attorney. So, he will receive a quality defense.

I am not sure about the indie videographer though. She likely does not have Don Lemon's name, nor resources- and Don does not appear to be in the mood to fund her defense. I would recommend a plea bargain for her instead of a "service ended when we barged in" approach. Maybe:

- Your honor, I am an indie reporter with limited experience. I have never received formal training. I have never been on a national news crew operating with big name legal back up and advice. When I saw the ubber trained, famous and presumably brainy Don Lemon there, I thought everything was kosher....

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

<modsnip: off topic>

... Don Lemon recording a single church service is worth the federal government suing over? Can a Christian explain this to me? A reporter documenting a service is worth the federal government filing some kind of hate crime legislation? <modsnip>

Don Lemon wasn’t recording a Church service, he was disrupting one. He was trespassing and was asked to leave. moo

 

[Cryptic]

<modsnip: off topic>

... Don Lemon recording a single church service is worth the federal government suing over? Can a Christian explain this to me? A reporter documenting a service is worth the federal government filing some kind of hate crime legislation? <modsnip>

Yes, absolutely, if he was disrupting it- and he was.

As for Christianity, my bet is that many Moslems, Jews and Hindus would have the same opinion: Anybody disrupting a worship service should face penalties- even if he is an indie journalist.

 

[ab01]

Your Honor; "I worked for CNN for 17 years I think I know what I can and can't do as a journalist". Sir didn't you get fired from CNN for a history of misogynistic behavior toward female colleagues. Non withstanding I'm innocent! I'm only Misogynistic when when their views don't match mine! MOO

 

[mickey2942]

I still think that this was an opportunistic effort on the part of DL. He enmeshed himself in the middle of a controversy. One could consider his involvement as the same as when reporters were embedded with troops in Vietnam, reporting the news in "real time".

No doubt, the protesters supported his involvement to bring more national focus to their point of view.

Honestly, I am not sure the government made a good move with federal charges here. It seems to be a knee jerk reaction and over reach to specifically target one member of the group. It is giving DL a platform that he desperately wants.

 

[Cryptic]

I still think that this was an opportunistic effort on the part of DL. He enmeshed himself in the middle of a controversy. One could consider his involvement as the same as when reporters were embedded with troops in Vietnam, reporting the news in "real time".

Though I think he needs to be convicted and imprisoned, I agree with you.

Don Lemon likely wanted to reclaim his name recognition and decided to drive towards the journalistic cliff- then actually go into the Church after he appeared to question himself as to whether he should actually enter it.

As a side note, following the Supreme Court's over turning of Roe v Wade there was spurt of protestors attempting to force their way into Catholic churches.

But.... my bet is that CNN and any other new service would have very quickly declined any invitations along the lines of: Hey, wanna have some newsies meet up with us for a "special protest mission", then follow us to a Church? (Uhhmmm, No!!- bye bye Hang up.)

Lemon was at CNN for 17 years. My bet is that CNN has never done anything remotely similar to the stunt Lemon pulled. Lemon would have known that. How desperate was he to re start his name?

 

[ab01]

Though I think he needs to be convicted and imprisoned, I agree with you.

Don Lemon likely wanted to reclaim his name recognition and decided to drive towards the journalistic cliff- then actually go into the Church after he appeared to question himself as to whether he should actually enter it.

As a side note, following the Supreme Court's over turning of Roe v Wade there was spurt of protestors attempting to force their way into Catholic churches.

But.... my bet is that CNN and any other new service would have very quickly declined any invitations along the lines of: Hey, wanna have some newsies meet up with us for a "special protest mission", then follow us to a Church? (Uhhmmm, no- bye bye Hanging up now)

Lemon was at CNN for 17 years. My bet is that CNN has never done anything remotely similar to the stunt Lemon pulled. Lemon would have known that. How badly was he looking to re start his name that he went along with it?

You can't bring that up, Bc Don Lemon was just an independent journalist who is well credentialed and had every right to be there based on his previous employment.....His decisions and thought making has no bearing on this case bc He was once a big name at major news publication and he is a respected journalist that is exempt from making poor decisions! This is the new journalistic integrity in America! His previous employment grants him immunity!!