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

[Izzylizzy]

I don’t think it was legitimate. I looked at James Comey’s indictment and its stamped under seal and the foreperson’s signature is somewhat covered up. But it is signed by the prosecutor. However the indictment presented to the press for Lemon and others is totally blank for those places. 2 different states so who knows. But I have had doubts all along.

source: james comey indictment (last page)
https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2025/09/comey-indictment.pdf

Don Lemon Indictment page 14 Don Lemon indictment


This is my opinion only

Thank you.
Off to check it out,

 

[tricia]

Let's do a Monty Hall shall we? LET'S MAKE A DEAL.
Let's agree that some people think Don Lemon is a great journalist and some people think he is the worst thing since the new Darrin replaced the old Darrin on Bewitched. In other words, some people think Lemon is good, others think he is awful.
DEAL?
Was Lemon there reporting or participating? That is the question.
Thank you
P.S. Shameless plug for our Websleuths YouTube LIVE tonight. We will be discussing the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie. We go live at 10:30 PM Eastern. CLICK HERE to join us.

 

[Magic8Ball]

Wow.

A church official isn't LE.

No protester was carrying a weapon.

This was not a private party, it was a church service open to the pubic. Rescinding the invitation might require a bit more conversation than asking an assailant to drop a weapon.

This analogy is quite the reach.

MOO

Churches are private property. Legally.

There was no spinach at the church, either. Not sure why that matters.

Because analogy.

 

[Ruminations]

I have asked OP for a quoted link. So they can show what MN law says. I don't think the time frame has been determined yet. Just speculated upon.

imo

Some of out peers on this thread are not clear on which jurisdiction enforces which law.

It the church has every right to request local LE assistance for local laws.

MOO

 

[Ruminations]

BBM:


Gov. Tim Walz sent a letter today to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, demanding details about the number of children being held in detention facilities and urging the federal agency to stop enforcement tactics that place children at risk.

Live: Judge orders release of suspects in alleged shovel attack on agent

Department of Homeland Security says agent fired in self-defense after being attacked with a snow shovel and broom.

www.startribune.com

Children should not have to deal with adult problems, full stop.

MOO

 

[tricia]

Would it be ok for a white male or group thereof, to walk into a mosque at the beginning of prayers, begin yelling and prevent the prayers, for the purpose of telling those in attendance that a member of their mosque was an employee of a government agency? And then refuse to leave until the prayer service was abandoned?

IMO No.
The question is, if there were reporters covering it, should they be charged in the same way as the people entering the Mosque?
This thread is not about the protesters as it is about the right of the press to report on an event. However, we have to allow some discussion of the protesters, what they did and why they were protesting. It is a part of the discussion but not the main part.
The implications of arresting two reporters who were not shouting and interrupting, but were filming in their capacity as reporters, yet they were charged just the same. That is what worries me.
The protesters were charged. That doesn't surprise me. Let them defend themselves in court.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

Because Don Lemon is a reporter like it or not and was reporting on the protest. jmo

He was reporting on a protest he was participating in. imo

 

[Rolypolyoly]

He was reporting on a protest he was participating in. imo

In what way did he participate in the protest?

 

[Tutter]

We are all private citizens but if we are also public servants who speak publicly and are the subject of a protest by citizens, where is the expectation of privacy?

A protest organizer has stated that the reason for the protest was to shed light on the fact the pastor is an agent for ICE. Given that information and the fact that he is a public figure, why are people so averse to discussing what is perceived by members of the public to be a major conflict of interest?

(IMO, it's pretty Ironic that under the current administration the law was changed to allow ICE agents to enter the sanctity of a church to apprehend individuals they consider being in the country illegally. I wonder how many of those people attend the Cities Church.)

<Modsnip- off topic>

ETA: and Don Lemon is in the parking lot of the abortion clinic before they go in, talking about the secret operation pull up and is quite excited about it. And then they go in to protest.

Is DL a journalist or participant? My opinion is he is a participant.

 

[Tutter]

I would think that parishioners of a church would want their pastor's professional life to reflect what that pastor teaches in their church.
imo

He is a federal officer upholding the laws of the US. ?

 

[Ontario Mom]

Hey PrairieWind.
I have to get ready for the YouTube livestream, but I want to come back later tonight and address this.
No one that I have seen is saying that because he is an ICE agent, he is a white nationalist, and so is his church.
If someone actually says this, please alert on the post. However, there is proof of his ties to white nationalism, as well as some of the higher-ups in his church. I am not talking about the congregation. Again. I will get you all the links and such later tonight after the livestream. Thank you for your patience.

I'm a part of this Christian community and this is quite honestly stunning news to me.

Can you please share the links that document the pastor's ties to white nationalism, as well as some of the higher ups in the church, as you've stated?

ETA: as an aside, I've asked twice now and have not seen any clarity on this.
IS this pastor considered a victim by WS standards?

He's named as such in the charging docs, called "Victim #1", so I'm just asking for some clarity.

 

[branmuffin]

But the congregants did attend the church right? And that bothered the militants who then decided that it was their job to attack that church and make it dangerous to the congregants to attend. Honestly, I think FAR more serious charges could be coming in the future.

But did they know he was an ICE administrator?

 

[Tutter]

Again, Pretzel logic
Post after post refuting the position and opinions

Hunting human beings as a job with a sideline as a pastor or whatever church title he claims

What about other law enforcement? Are they ‘hunting’ people as they enforce laws?

 

[SouthAussie]

He is a federal officer upholding the laws of the US. ?

The thing is, this protest happened 11 days after an ICE person shot Renee Good 3-5 times (depending which source you read) in Minneapolis. The city was outraged that a US citizen was killed by ICE. Was shot multiple times.

David Easterwood is the Field Office Director for ICE operations in Minneapolis/St Paul. Also a pastor of that church.

The protesters were chanting about the killing of Renee, in the church.

It is a very emotional situation for the people of Minneapolis.

imo

 

[SilentHill]

What about other law enforcement? Are they ‘hunting’ people as they enforce laws?

Who? ICE? IMO that's exactly what they are doing and killing lawful citizens in the process too.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

I'm a part of this Christian community and this is quite honestly stunning news to me.

Can you please share the links that document the pastor's ties to white nationalism, as well as some of the higher ups in the church, as you've stated?

ETA: as an aside, I've asked twice now and have not seen any clarity on this.
IS this pastor considered a victim by WS standards?

He's named as such in the charging docs, called "Victim #1", so I'm just asking for some clarity.

I haven’t been able to find anything at all in MSM tying Cities Church to white nationalism. imo

 

[Ontario Mom]

I haven’t been able to find anything at all in MSM tying Cities Church to white nationalism. imo

Nor have I. So, this is quite a bold accusation.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

On January 18, 2026, approximately 30 to 40 activists forcibly entered Cities Church in St. Paul during a time of worship. The group interrupted the service to demand the congregation denounce the federal government’s immigration enforcement, specifically targeting the role of Pastor David Easterwood as a field office director for ICE. Despite multiple requests from church leadership for the group to leave, the interference was so significant that services were forced to end prematurely. Video footage captured by the protesters themselves and others show them shouting insults and accusations at youth, children, and families. This is an unacceptable trauma.

Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention Standing for the Sanctity of Worship under the Rule of Law

January 19, 2026 ROCHESTER, MN – The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention (MWBC) denounces the disruption of a peaceful worship service in St. Paul, Minnesota as a breach of Minnesota State Statute § 609.28. We ask for all levels of governmental officials to protect the religious freedom of...

www.mwbc.org

 

[Leilei]

the correct answer is "immediately." The fact that DL stayed 2 minutes or 7 or 13 is evidence that he was part of the demonstration.
It doesn't matter if you are a journalist, if you are asked to leave private property, you leave. You have no right to remain after that moment.

It is not and stating that as fact doesn't make it true.
If things were so danged chaotic inside and outside of the church due to this "attack", it may have taken some time for him and others, including church-goers, to leave.
IMO.

 

[branmuffin]

Many people who've been indicted by a GJ had their cases dismissed or were found not guilty. So GJ means little, especially when this administration has lost credibility with GJs.

MOO.

Especially, back in 1985, when Sol Wachtler, the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals said a prosecutor could get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. He was referring to how low the bar is when it comes to probable cause when asking for a grand jury indictment.