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

[HmmMysterious]

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

This thread is about DON LEMON, not the protestors. He was there to FILM because he's a JOURNALIST. It's his FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT to do that. This is unpopular, but honestly Pastor Easterwood was asking for the blow-back. Should've thought about renouncing his links with ICE when they started killing innocent civilians. Or maybe leave the church.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

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.

No one was blocking the exit for the agitators to leave. It appears the parishioners were the ones being obstructed. imo

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

This thread is about DON LEMON, not the protestors. He was there to FILM because he's a JOURNALIST. It's his FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT to do that. This is unpopular, but honestly Pastor Easterwood was asking for the blow-back. Should've thought about renouncing his links with ICE when they started killing innocent civilians. Or maybe leave the church.

My opinion is different from yours. Don Lemon was disrupting.

Lemon: “Don’t Push Me”

 

[Leilei]

No one was blocking the exit for the agitators to leave. It appears the parishioners were the ones being obstructed. imo

That makes zero sense. Protesters magically teleported from inside the church to the outside, leaving the parishioners stuck inside?
How does that happen?
IMO.

 

[Eagles512]

I can’t believe people watched what Lemon did and are still defending him. He’s a dumb guy who isn’t smart enough in the moment to realize what he was doing and instead of admitting it, he just kept doubling down. Of course he deserves to be arrested. It’s cut and dry and had to be done to keep others from doing the same.

 

[branmuffin]

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

Here:

The Rejection of CRT in the Southern Baptist Convention - AAIHS

The May 1995 issue of Christianity Today, included the report of a leading African American voice in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) at the time, Rev. Dr. Joe Samuel Ratliff, pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. He stated, “The Southern Baptist Convention's history speaks...

www.aaihs.org

and here:

Southern Baptist Convention is STILL Rooted in White Supremacy – Alliance of Baptists

by Ben Sanders, III On November 30, 2020, the Council of Seminary Presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) issued a collective statement

allianceofbaptists.org

Below is a culmination of many articles, essays and theories of the SBC and white nationalism. Condensed by AI

The relationship between the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and white nationalism is defined by a history rooted in the defense of slavery and a modern, often contentious struggle to distance itself from those origins while grappling with the rise of modern Christian nationalism.

Historical Foundations

• Pro-Slavery Origins: The SBC was founded in 1845 specifically after splitting from Northern Baptists who refused to appoint slaveholders as missionaries.
• Theological Justification: Early leaders used the Bible to support slavery, segregation, and white supremacy.
• Confederate Support: During the Civil War, the SBC formally pledged support for the Confederacy.

• 1995 Apology: The SBC issued a formal resolution apologizing for its past role in sustaining slavery and racism.
• Condemning the Alt-Right: In 2017, the convention passed Resolution 10, which formally denounced "alt-right white supremacy" as "antithetical to the Gospel". The vote initially stalled due to leadership concerns over "strong language," causing an uproar before it eventually passed with a two-thirds majority.
• Expelling Churches: The SBC has taken action against individual congregations, such as expelling a Georgia church in 2018 for "intentional discriminatory acts" against a Black congregation.

Internal Tensions and Nationalism

• White Christian Nationalism (WCN): Critics argue that the SBC's patriarchal and authoritarian structures have served as a "prototype" or "fertile ground" for modern white Christian nationalism.
• Diverging Views: A 2024 Lifeway Research survey indicated that 58% of SBC members believe the government should not favor any religion, while 36% believe it should favor Christianity—suggesting a significant minority identifies with nationalist ideals.
• Racial Exodus: Ongoing tensions over systemic racism and the rejection of Critical Race Theory (CRT) have led to the #LeaveLOUD movement, where prominent Black pastors and members have left the denomination.
• Demographic Shifts: Despite these tensions, the SBC is becoming more diverse; over half of its newly established churches are predominantly non-white.

Internal Tensions and Nationalism

• White Christian Nationalism (WCN): Critics argue that the SBC's patriarchal and authoritarian structures have served as a "prototype" or "fertile ground" for modern white Christian nationalism.
• Diverging Views: A 2024 Lifeway Research survey indicated that 58% of SBC members believe the government should not favor any religion, while 36% believe it should favor Christianity—suggesting a significant minority identifies with nationalist ideals.
• Racial Exodus: Ongoing tensions over systemic racism and the rejection of Critical Race Theory (CRT) have led to the #LeaveLOUD movement, where prominent Black pastors and members have left the denomination.
• Demographic Shifts: Despite these tensions, the SBC is becoming more diverse; over half of its newly established churches are predominantly non-white.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

That makes zero sense. Protesters magically teleported from inside the church to the outside, leaving the parishioners stuck inside?
How does that happen?
IMO.

No, the agitators remained blocking the aisles, stairway to children, and exits. They remained even after they were asked to leave including Lemon. imo

 

[Caylee Advocate]

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.

BBM:

IMO, he was doing a little of both, he does love the attention.

 

[marloweclover]

Open question -- was there a way to cover this event strictly as a journalist that would have been acceptable to everyone? IMO remaining entirely outside fails, from a news perspective -- you only get secondhand opinions about what really occurred, your audience has no opportunity to make their own judgments visually, and you run the risk of missing something important. After all, would we not feel inadequately informed and cheated if "Super Bowl coverage" was limited to pre and post game interviews? JMO

 

[JennieM]

Open question -- was there a way to cover this event strictly as a journalist that would have been acceptable to everyone? IMO remaining entirely outside fails, from a news perspective -- you only get secondhand opinions about what really occurred, your audience has no opportunity to make their own judgments visually, and you run the risk of missing something important. After all, would we not feel inadequately informed and cheated if "Super Bowl coverage" was limited to pre and post game interviews? JMO

 

[Oakland CA]

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. can't stand DL.

I can't stand DL. Never could. Always came across as arrogant.

Having said that, I think him being arrested by the FBI and and subsequently charged under the FACE act is ridiculous.

IMO, He was there as a reporter and not as a protestor.

 

[CSIDreamer]

This thread is about DON LEMON, not the protestors. He was there to FILM because he's a JOURNALIST. It's his FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT to do that. This is unpopular, but honestly Pastor Easterwood was asking for the blow-back. Should've thought about renouncing his links with ICE when they started killing innocent civilians. Or maybe leave the church.

IMO, you're absolutely right, this thread is about DON LEMON.

It's less about 1st Amendment Rights, and more about Don Lemon.

It's almost like Georgia Fort wasn't even there. I'm wondering why a female journalist isn't getting the same outrage here.

All JMO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

<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.

And my opinion is he's a journalist. Journalists have historically covered events, even when the participants have broken the law, without being charged because it was understood they had a right to cover the story thanks to the 1st Amendment.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

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

That's the PG version, sure. Not all ICE officers are created equal. If this person really does have ties to white nationalism, that isn't very Christian of him, and something I'd want to know about my pastor.

MOO.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Open question -- was there a way to cover this event strictly as a journalist that would have been acceptable to everyone? IMO remaining entirely outside fails, from a news perspective -- you only get secondhand opinions about what really occurred, your audience has no opportunity to make their own judgments visually, and you run the risk of missing something important. After all, would we not feel inadequately informed and cheated if "Super Bowl coverage" was limited to pre and post game interviews? JMO

I'd be fine with his behavior if he had stayed off private property. You don't always get the biggest scoop by staying in your lane, but you show you have some integrity. JMO

As it is, the story about that day is Don Lemon. He is the story. That isn't journalism. Again. JMO

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I can’t believe people watched what Lemon did and are still defending him. He’s a dumb guy who isn’t smart enough in the moment to realize what he was doing and instead of admitting it, he just kept doubling down. Of course he deserves to be arrested. It’s cut and dry and had to be done to keep others from doing the same.

Actually, it's not the least bit cut and dry, which is why TWO separate judges refused to sign a warrant for his arrest (links throughout the thread). Are you suggesting two judges don't know the law or can't recognize a crime when it's cut and dry? The professional journalism societies have all defended him (links throughout this thread) as well and it's also why so many continue to defend him. He did nothing illegal and I suspect the case will be thrown out of court.

MOO.

 

[Sundog]

The Federal Magistrate Judge in Minnesota determined that there was enough probable cause to expedite and support a criminal charge for only against 3 out of against 8 defendants. DL was not one of them. He advised prosecutors to reevaluate and edit their affidavits for resubmission or go the route of grand jury if there were time constraints. He would not expedite the process again to make a decision.

As a result, Claiming or citing the emergent need to have the arrest warrants expedited as well for the remaining 5 defendants due to risks that the defendants would target another church, Bondi petitioned the district judges to review and hopefully appeal the magistrate’s judge’s decision. However, Chief Judge Schiltz noted that neither he nor any judge in his jurisdiction or federal court have ever received such a request before DOJ nor thus questioned how to even approach and start such an appeal process. He and the other 2 chief judges from his district ultimately decided not to intervene or determine a decision in this case. Only one, Judge Grasz, communicated that he thought that had probable cause for all 5 warrants. Nonetheless, all three judges confirmed the Magistrate Judge’s original judgement.


IMO/from my understanding

<modsnip: Fox News is not an approved source>

Appeals court rejects DoJ push to charge more people over Minnesota church protest

Setback for justice department as it pursues demonstrators, including Don Lemon who recorded protest as a journalist

www.theguardian.com

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72185493/00805437897/1/in-re-united-states-of-america/

Interesting that it was the federal magistrate judge who recommended to the government prosecution that they go the route of a grand jury as one option.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

IMO, you're absolutely right, this thread is about DON LEMON.

It's less about 1st Amendment Rights, and more about Don Lemon.

It's the 1st Amendment rights that are being used to defend Don Lemon. We always talk about the defense argument on these threads, so it makes sense that in this case, we'd be discussing 1A.

It's almost like Georgia Fort wasn't even there. I'm wondering why a female journalist isn't getting the same outrage here.

All JMO.

Tricia actually answered this question quite eloquently earlier in the thread. No one seems to know anything about Georgia Fort, but there is no doubt whatsoever (or there shouldn't be) that Don Lemon is a legitimate journalist. He has the education, the training, and decades of professional experience behind him, so it's understandable that we'd be talking about him when discussing freedom of the press. There's a difference between legitimate journalists (even when acting independently) and influencers who just pick up a camera.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I'd be fine with his behavior if he had stayed off private property. You don't always get the biggest scoop by staying in your lane, but you show you have some integrity. JMO

As it is, the story about that day is Don Lemon. He is the story. That isn't journalism. Again. JMO

That's not consistent with US journalism. When was the last time you saw journalists standing on public property when covering a murder or house fire? It's not just a realistic ask. This is why the 1A exists and why it protects journalists in the course of their official duties.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

Interesting that it was the federal magistrate judge who recommended to the government prosecution that they go the route of a grand jury as one option.

It's actually not interesting to me at all. He wasn't going to endorse the arrest because he likely thought it was BS. So GJ --> ham sandwich and all. He made the suggestion because that was the only way they were going to get an indictment.

MOO.