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.

 

[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.

 

[HmmMysterious]

I can't imagine a journalist and videographer/team storming an abortion clinic and filming what goes on there.

*coughs* James O'Keefe and Project Veritas *coughs* Well, he didn't storm in, but he did infiltrate them. Planned Parenthood later sued O'Keefe for doing that.

 

[SouthAussie]

Don Lemon stated today at the Grammy Awards that the first time people will hear from him about this matter (other than on his own show) is on Jimmy Kimmel's show on Monday night.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7602080902881004831

 

[SouthAussie]

And it sounds as if Don received huge support at the pre-Grammys gala.


Don Lemon was met with thunderous applause at Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammys gala on Saturday night.
The former CNN anchor received a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd at the Beverly Hills Hilton, Los Angeles.

The legendary party which was attended by icons like Joni Mitchell, Lana Del Rey, Gladys Knight and Max Martin paused to celebrate Lemon .... Guests rose to their feet, treating him like one of the night’s biggest stars.

The ovation came just two days after Lemon was arrested on federal charges tied to his coverage of a January 18 anti-ICE protest inside St. Paul’s Cities Church.

Don Lemon steals spotlight at Clive Davis' pre-Grammys gala

Don Lemon was met with thunderous applause at Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammys gala on Saturday night.The former CNN anchor received a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd at the Beverly Hills Hilton, Los Angeles.The...

www.geo.tv

 

[Greenestdays]

Why aren't people leaving the church wearing dark sunglasses on an overcast snowy day?

Maybe he just had LASIK and his eyes are really sensitive. Jfc what has this got to do with anything

 

[Hexe]

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"

He did not barge in. He walked alone into the church.

 

[Hexe]

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

He was disrupting how?

 

[MrsWatson]

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.

BBM

Don Lemon is not a "former journalist."

 

[iamshadow21]

BBM

Don Lemon is not a "former journalist."

I think there's a fundamental misunderstanding that some people have about journalists and journalism. The amount who have positions as permanent anchors or columnists is small. Many, many journalists are essentially freelancers, writing articles for multiple publications, or doing limited scope pieces for tv. That does not mean they are any less journalists than those who do have a permanent position. It makes them the majority.

MOO

 

[SouthAussie]

The NNPA (National Newspaper Publishers Association - often called the Black Press of America) has issued strong support for Don Lemon and Georgia Fort.


We, the NNPA, stand with Georgia Fort, Don Lemon, and all those arrested. We demand these charges be dropped immediately. We close with Du Bois’s eternal warning: “If the government thinks it can silence our complaints, it is making a mistake.” And we shall not be moved.

There is a bitter, hollow irony in seeing the KKK Act—a law forged during Reconstruction to protect Black lives from white terror—now being used to prosecute Black journalists for the “crime” of holding a camera.

NNPA Stands With Georgia Fort, Don Lemon, And All Arrested, And Demands All Charges Be Dropped - The Sacramento Observer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTJD81eFvwM (NNPA) - History has a way of repeating itself. Today, it rhymes with the clicking of handcuffs on two of our

sacobserver.com

 

[Mo Thuairim]

I think there's a fundamental misunderstanding that some people have about journalists and journalism. The amount who have positions as permanent anchors or columnists is small. Many, many journalists are essentially freelancers, writing articles for multiple publications, or doing limited scope pieces for tv. That does not mean they are any less journalists than those who do have a permanent position. It makes them the majority.

MOO

Exactly. It's not about which outlet/title has commissioned you to write/report a story. It's about having a press card, industry credentials and a relevant media resumé. I'm sure Lemon has press credentials. He absolutely qualifies for membership of professional bodies.

 

[Izzylizzy]

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?

2 BBM:
DL has over 1 million subscribers on his Youtube channel 2.6 million followers on Instagram and 2.1 million on Tik-Tok so no need for this "name recognition" you speak of.
imo

Now to CNN.

CNN blasts ‘unacceptable’ arrest of former host Don Lemon​

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5714931-don-lemon-cnn-minnesota-ice-doj/

CNN Calls Don Lemon's Arrest 'Unacceptable' and 'Profoundly Concerning' for First Amendment

"The Department of Justice already failed twice to get an arrest warrant for Don and several other journalists in Minnesota," the news network notes

www.thewrap.com

 

[Cryptic]

DL has over 1 million subscribers on his Youtube channel so no need for this "name recognition" you speak of.
imo

Relativity of the non Einstein sort might come into play.

Prior to getting canned by CNN, he was seen and adored by many times that number nightly. Likewise, I have no idea what kind of income 1 million subscribers on You Tube generates. CNN lead journalists evidently make tens of millions annually.

In the end, Lemon might not be playing in the journalistic major leagues (with associated earnings) and might not be enjoying the acclaim that he once had. Thus a need for more name recognition?

 

[Hexe]

In the end, Lemon might not be playing in the journalistic major leagues (with associated earnings) and might not be enjoying the acclaim that he once had. Thus a need for more name recognition?

Lemon's motivations for arriving in Minnesota are irrelevant. His moral and personal qualities are irrelevant too. What is relevant? His actions in the church.

MOO

 

[Cryptic]

Lemon's motivations for arriving in Minnesota are irrelevant. His moral and personal qualities are irrelevant too. What is relevant? His actions in the church.

Good point regarding the purely legal analysis.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Relativity of the non Einstein sort might come into play.

Prior to getting canned by CNN, he was seen and adored by many times that number nightly. Likewise, I have no idea what kind of income 1 million subscribers on You Tube generates. CNN lead journalists evidently make tens of millions annually.

In the end, Lemon might not be playing in the journalistic major leagues (with associated earnings) and might not be enjoying the acclaim that he once had. Thus a need for more name recognition?

DL is a very wealthy man so It's not all about the money and this "journalistic major leagues" when viewers have been leaving the MSM in droves and are following the independent journalists and lawyers on their social media platforms.
There are financial estimations online on how much a creator could be making from their platforms.
It's a lot and comparing it to the salaries they got from the news corporations means squat when one wants reliable, unrestricted reporting and the creator has the freedom to deliver just that.
CNN did Lemon a favor by booting him and settled with him for about 24 million.
Don is more than fine,
imo