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

[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?

 

[Sundog]

Regarding conspiracy, you generally need intent and agreement to commit the crime PLUS a overt act that furthers the crime. Imo, it is debatable that anything Lemon did furthered the crime -- was his presence helpful in entering the church? Did he drive anyone else there? Did he fund it in some unknown way?

Jury instructions on the elements of conspiracy may be helpful and are the source for my above points: 9th Cir. conspiracy

Did he have a driver he paid? Did he pay the videographer? Did he not warn them about the FACE Act and that they would all be breaking federal law? If they were also arrested because they were working for Lemon in good faith, then I wonder if they can file a civil lawsuit against him. As a former journalist, he should have known that it was illegal for him to storm a church with a group of agitators during a worship service. I can't imagine a journalist and videographer/team storming an abortion clinic and filming what goes on there.