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

[LAborn]

I'm not sure why you keep repeating the same thing. What did Don Lemon do that was illegal?

This a thousand times.

 

[Summerliz03]

Pam Bondi et al don't even need the charges to stick. They got their arrest b rolls. They got to sanctimoniously announce that freedom of worship will be protected. (As if that is going to distract me from the fact the citizens' rights to be on their own sidewalks or cars without getting killed has been taken away.) Pam Bondi is hoping people think, well, if he got arrested, he must have done something wrong. And thus, even though the charges won't stick, she has achieved her goal.

MOO

I agree, and I truly think Pam Bondi knows the charges won’t stick. She doesn’t care, it’s all just political theater to hype up the group of people who are so convinced that their religious freedoms are under attack, primarily white Christian nationalists. Who ironically enough, are the same people pushing for more religion in schools (but only Christianity), more religion in politics (but only Christianity), and seem to support the violent removal of their literal neighbors, which is the complete opposite of any of Jesus’ teachings. I say this as a Christian myself, who goes to church regularly and supports the freedom of religion in this country (but this goes for ALL religions, not just Christianity), nothing about the current administration is Christian and I have a hard time understanding how or why any Christian person supports it. All just MOO.

 

[Ruminations]

I agree, and I truly think Pam Bondi knows the charges won’t stick. She doesn’t care, it’s all just political theater to hype up the group of people who are so convinced that their religious freedoms are under attack, primarily white Christian nationalists. Who ironically enough, are the same people pushing for more religion in schools (but only Christianity), more religion in politics (but only Christianity), and seem to support the violent removal of their literal neighbors, which is the complete opposite of any of Jesus’ teachings. I say this as a Christian myself, who goes to church regularly and supports the freedom of religion in this country (but this goes for ALL religions, not just Christianity), nothing about the current administration is Christian and I have a hard time understanding how or why any Christian person supports it. All just MOO.

Scripture is pretty clear about treatment of strangers and those in need. AFAIK, there is nothing Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or Secular Humanist about this. The protest that Lemon was covering was a protest against ICE. There is no argument that ICE is acting in a Christian way. Being that they are behaving extra-judicially, going against training, and targeting law-abiding people, there isn't even the, "but the law" argument. It's pretty rich if anyone thinks this administration is pro-Christian.

The protesters were not anti-Christian. They were anti ICE.

Lemon was not a protester. He was a journalist.

MOO

 

[LAborn]

Scripture is pretty clear about treatment of strangers and those in need. AFAIK, there is nothing Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or Secular Humanist about this. The protest that Lemon was covering was a protest against ICE. There is no argument that ICE is acting in a Christian way. Being that they are behaving extra-judicially, going against training, and targeting law-abiding people, there isn't even the, "but the law" argument. It's pretty rich if anyone thinks this administration is pro-Christian.

The protesters were not anti-Christian. They were anti ICE.

Lemon was not a protester. He was a journalist.

MOO

Exactly. The main person is a minister and civil rights lawyer. Come on now.

 

[Ontario Mom]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018661394858873039

 

[witchway]

If you have facebook/instagram, here is Ronan Farrow on the arrests of journalist of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Or maybe it works here regardless.

He did the Harvey Weinstein story as well. That’s really worth a read.
He is a winner of the Pultzer Prize for Public Service in 2018.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1216158433422560

 

[otto]

As Ms. Armstrong stated in her interview with Chris Cuomo, her desired effect of the protest was to inform both the parishioners and the public that the church had a pastor that works for ICE. She wasn’t specifically protesting to David Easterwood, but more to spread awareness that churches may not be a safe haven for immigrants if they employ a pastor who is also serving as an ICE agent. So it truly didn’t matter that Mr. Easterwood was there, IMO. But she clearly explains her reasons for protesting that church during her interview.

Don Lemon was tipped off about the protest ahead of time, but did not know that the protest would disrupt the church service. As an independent journalist, should he be gathering information, or "arguing with a parishioner about immigration enforcement" ?

Armstrong wanted to draw attention to Mr Easterwood, and to inform the congregation about his involvement with immigration law.

Was there no better way to inform the congregation about Mr Easterwood than to traumatize families with children? Armstrong sounds like a well-educated woman, a civil rights lawyer. Could she not inform them by handing out a pamphlet at the doors of the church? Why was trauma used to communicate her opinion to people attending church? Why did Lemon choose to associate himself with trauma-style communication?

"At the event, hosted by Black Lives Matter Minnesota and other local organizations ... the church protest over the weekend was organized by Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights lawyer. She said she wanted to draw attention to a church leader, David Easterwood, who also appears to be the acting director of ICE’s field office for enforcement and removal operations in St. Paul.
...

Ms. Levy Armstrong, the church protest organizer, said that in the lawsuit filed earlier this month against ICE’s tactics, she saw that Mr. Easterwood was named as a defendant for overseeing “a racial profiling campaign of massive scale and with devastating consequences,” and connected him with the church. She compared Mr. Easterwood’s appearance in an October news conference alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with a sermon he delivered at the church that was posted to YouTube.

Ms. Levy Armstrong said she circulated her plan for interrupting the service on social media as a way to raise awareness among the congregation of Mr. Easterwood’s involvement in the immigration crackdown."​

January 19, 2026

Protest at Minnesota Church Service Adds to Tensions Over ICE Tactics

The Justice Department said it would investigate the protest over a pastor’s apparent role in immigration enforcement in the state.

www.nytimes.com

"Lemon said he was at the demonstration as a journalist. He said he was tipped off ahead of time but did not know the activists would disrupt the service. He can be seen arguing with a parishioner about immigration enforcement."​

January 30, 2026

Ex-CNN journalist Don Lemon faces Minnesota protest charges

Former CNN news anchor Don Lemon appeared in court on Friday to face federal charges over his role covering a protest at a Minnesota church against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, the Republican administration's latest move against a critic.

www.reuters.com

 

[witchway]

Don Lemon was tipped off about the protest ahead of time, but did not know that the protest would disrupt the church service. As an independent journalist, should he be gathering information, or "arguing with a parishioner about immigration enforcement" ?

Armstrong wanted to draw attention to Mr Easterwood, and to inform the congregation about his involvement with immigration law.

Was there no better way to inform the congregation about Mr Easterwood than to traumatize families with children? Armstrong sounds like a well-educated woman, a civil rights lawyer. Could she not inform them by handing out a pamphlet at the doors of the church? Why was trauma used to communicate her opinion to people attending church? Why did Lemon choose to associate himself with trauma-style communication?

"At the event, hosted by Black Lives Matter Minnesota and other local organizations ... the church protest over the weekend was organized by Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights lawyer. She said she wanted to draw attention to a church leader, David Easterwood, who also appears to be the acting director of ICE’s field office for enforcement and removal operations in St. Paul.​

...​

​

Ms. Levy Armstrong, the church protest organizer, said that in the lawsuit filed earlier this month against ICE’s tactics, she saw that Mr. Easterwood was named as a defendant for overseeing “a racial profiling campaign of massive scale and with devastating consequences,” and connected him with the church. She compared Mr. Easterwood’s appearance in an October news conference alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with a sermon he delivered at the church that was posted to YouTube.​

​

Ms. Levy Armstrong said she circulated her plan for interrupting the service on social media as a way to raise awareness among the congregation of Mr. Easterwood’s involvement in the immigration crackdown."​

January 19, 2026

Protest at Minnesota Church Service Adds to Tensions Over ICE Tactics

The Justice Department said it would investigate the protest over a pastor’s apparent role in immigration enforcement in the state.

www.nytimes.com

"Lemon said he was at the demonstration as a journalist. He said he was tipped off ahead of time but did not know the activists would disrupt the service. He can be seen arguing with a parishioner about immigration enforcement."​

January 30, 2026

Ex-CNN journalist Don Lemon faces Minnesota protest charges

Former CNN news anchor Don Lemon appeared in court on Friday to face federal charges over his role covering a protest at a Minnesota church against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, the Republican administration's latest move against a critic.

www.reuters.com

So in other words stay at home? A journalists job is literally the opposite.
They knew what they were facing and were willing to do it. I am glad this happened as it really did shed light on what is happening here. Historically we never would have known for example about Watergate, but a few brave journalists and a brave undercover informant…jmo

 

[otto]

Kimmel began the interview asking Lemon how he was feeling, and the former CNN anchor said: “I don’t know — that’s an honest answer,” before adding, “I’m OK, I’m not going to let them steal my joy, but this is very serious. These are federal criminal charges.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2026/02/03/don-lemon-addresses-doj-arrest-on-kimmel-they-want-to-intimidateinstill-fear/

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018050745329647810

 

[Summerliz03]

I think this thread will just continue to go in circles until the next hearing on the 9th and we learn more information from both the prosecution and the defense. IMO, Don Lemon reporting on news people don’t like doesn’t make him less of a journalist and doesn’t make what he did illegal. I wasn’t even a Don Lemon fan before this, never watched him on CNN, don’t follow him now. I have zero opinions on him as a person or journalist. I would say the same thing about this case if it was Megyn Kelly covering an anti-abortion protest. Journalists covering the news is not illegal and at this point, I haven’t seen any evidence that Don Lemon was acting as a protestor and not a journalist. All MOO.

 

[Ruby_PA]

Pam Bondi et al don't even need the charges to stick. They got their arrest b rolls. They got to sanctimoniously announce that freedom of worship will be protected

Exactly! I keep thinking about tRump's perfect phone call to Zelenskyy to ask him to "SAY there is an investigation into Biden & Hunter", there doesn't even have to be one, just say it! IMO

 

[otto]

So in other words stay at home? A journalists job is literally the opposite.
They knew what they were facing and were willing to do it. I am glad this happened as it really did shed light on what is happening here. Historically we never would have known for example about Watergate, but a few brave journalists and a brave undercover informant…jmo

It's about methods. Did the congregation need to be shocked, or are they reasonable people who could understand a message through calm verbal or written communication?

What did the independent journalist achieve by "arguing with a parishioner about immigration enforcement?" Why did the independent journalist ask the pastor whether he was allowed to worship when the question was not genuine? After the pastor welcomed him to worship, the independent journalist remained in the church for another 13 minutes but did not worship.

Did the independent journalist ask himself whether trauma-style communication is most effective with a church congregation? Did he report on that style of communication when the message relates to notifying people about an immigration officer?

Why didn't any of the protesters/ independent journalist stop and ask themselves whether the best method to inform parishioners about the job roles of a member of their church was to disrupt a church service? Was the independent journalists story about informing people about the identity of individual immigration officers?

Ex-CNN journalist Don Lemon faces Minnesota protest charges

Former CNN news anchor Don Lemon appeared in court on Friday to face federal charges over his role covering a protest at a Minnesota church against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, the Republican administration's latest move against a critic.

www.reuters.com

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

~ in my opinion ~​

 

[otto]

In my opinion, shock and trauma style communication, to inform a church congregation about a member of their church, should not be condoned. That is the story that should have been told by the independent journalist. That is a message that everyone can understand.

Although people are upset with federal officer methods in upholding immigration law, there are lines that should not and cannot be crossed under any circumstances. Anger due to federal immigration officer actions does not justify traumatizing children in a church.

~ in my opinion ~​

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

It's about methods. Did the congregation need to be shocked, or are they reasonable people who could understand a message through calm verbal or written communication?

What did the independent journalist achieve by "arguing with a parishioner about immigration enforcement?" Why did the independent journalist ask the pastor whether he was allowed to worship when the question was not genuine? After the pastor welcomed him to worship, the independent journalist remained in the church for another 13 minutes but did not worship.

Did the independent journalist ask himself whether trauma-style communication is most effective with a church congregation? Did he report on that style of communication when the message relates to notifying people about an immigration officer?

Why didn't any of the protesters/ independent journalist stop and ask themselves whether the best method to inform parishioners about the job roles of a member of their church was to disrupt a church service? Was the independent journalists story about informing people about the identity of individual immigration officers?

Ex-CNN journalist Don Lemon faces Minnesota protest charges

Former CNN news anchor Don Lemon appeared in court on Friday to face federal charges over his role covering a protest at a Minnesota church against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, the Republican administration's latest move against a critic.

www.reuters.com

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

~ in my opinion ~​

They thought a coordinated invasion of the church, while engaging in acts of oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction was a good idea. ( imo and from the indictment that includes Don Lemon).

The only peaceful people that day, were the congregants, who accepted strangers among them. Don Lemon had the nerve to ask the pastor if they were not allowed to worship. Why didn’t the just sit quietly and worship?

 

[Izzylizzy]

'Don Lemon says he offered to turn himself in but was arrested in an effort to 'embarrass' him'

Don Lemon says he offered to turn himself in but was arrested to 'embarrass' him

The former CNN anchor faces charges of violating a federal civil rights law after he entered a Minnesota church alongside protesters demonstrating against its pastor.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Izzylizzy]

In my opinion, shock and trauma style communication, to inform a church congregation about a member of their church, should not be condoned. That is the story that should have been told by the independent journalist. That is a message that everyone can understand.

Although people are upset with federal officer methods in upholding immigration law, there are lines that should not and cannot be crossed under any circumstances. Anger due to federal immigration officer actions does not justify traumatizing children in a church.

~ in my opinion ~​

BBM
Please address the man you previously also referred to as "a member of their church" by his correct title and status within the church.

Pastor David Easterwood.

imo

 

[otto]

They thought a coordinated invasion of the church, while engaging in acts of oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction was a good idea. ( imo and from the indictment that includes Don Lemon).

The only peaceful people that day, were the congregants, who accepted strangers among them. Don Lemon had the nerve to ask the pastor if they were not allowed to worship. Why didn’t the just sit quietly and worship?

There's a strong emphasis on separating Don Lemon from the legal documents, and to interpret his role independent of protesters. He claims that he was in the church during the religious meeting for the purpose of telling a story - to report on the protest.

The story that Black Lives Matter Minnesota, other local organizations, and organizer Nekima Levy Armstrong (a civil rights lawyer) wanted to tell is that church member David Easterwood is a federal immigration officer.

A major component of the story is that protesters disrupted a church service screaming "nazi" while "confronting children saying "do you know your parents are nazis, they're going to burn in hell." That is how the civil rights lawyer informed the congregation that a member of their church is a federal officer.

That is not the story that I understood from everything I've seen from Don Lemon. I have not seen any story from Lemon about whether the protest was effective in communicating that Mr Easterwood is an immigration officer. Legal documents were required to understand the story.

Don Lemon said that he will be more outspoken, but what is the story? That protesters have the right to traumatize children in church to communicate their anger? Whether intended or not, that is the journalistic story I hear him telling.

Protest at Minnesota Church Service Adds to Tensions Over ICE Tactics

The Justice Department said it would investigate the protest over a pastor’s apparent role in immigration enforcement in the state.

www.nytimes.com

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

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018050745329647810

~ in my opinion ~​