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

[BeginnerSleuther]

I guess he doesn't know about the FACE Act.

Can you please cite the passage the in FACE Act that suggests a reporter filming others violating the FACE Act is also violating the FACE Act? Because that's what the post you're quoting is talking about -- reporting, not participation.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

The pastor's other profession was working for federal immigration enforcement charged with detainment and deportation of illegal immigrants. I don't know any country that would just sit by and watch 15 million illegal immigrants enter the country with no repercussions.

What they're charged with and what they're doing are two separate things, and a pastor aligning himself with them is cringe worthy, IMO.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

It wasn't cut and dry for the other judges who gave their legal opinions and decisions about this case. The federal magistrate judge, for example, suggested that the DOJ take the case to a grand jury, which they did.

Of course he suggested a GJ. Because that was only way this case would see an arrest. IMO, the case is such bull that there was no other way to arrest him without a GJ (and we all know GJs indict a ham sandwich). That's actually more damning to the case, not less.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I don't think it was a recommendation. It was just a stated fact that they could take it to a grand jury. A couple of alternatives were stated that they could pursue. Improve the affidavit and re-present it, or go to a grand jury.


Schiltz's first letter ....He said the demand by federal prosecutors was “unheard of in our district, or, as best as I can tell, any other district in the Eighth Circuit.”
“The reason why this never happens is likely that, if the government does not like the magistrate judge’s decision, it can either improve the affidavit and present it again to the same magistrate judge or it can present its case to a grand jury and seek an indictment”

Schiltz's second letter ... “The government lumps all eight protestors together and says things that are true of some but not all of them,” the chief judge wrote. “Two of the five protestors were not protestors at all; instead, they were a journalist and his producer. There is no evidence that those two engaged in any criminal behavior or conspired to do so.”

And Grasz concurred with the charges but said .... " the government has failed to establish that it has no other adequate means of obtaining the requested relief”

(Minnesota’s chief district judge Patrick Schiltz - and the third 8th Circuit appeals judge, Grasz)

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/24/doj-trump-minnesota-don-lemon-protest-00745589

Thank you for posting the exact language. So the claim that the judge recommended a GJ is misleading.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

Since I am a part of this church community I'm well aware of the accusations made from those on the outside looking in. Including a vile accusation from Don Lemon who is on record on a podcast as stating Cities Church is full of "entitled white supremacists". Source: Don Lemon blasts Minnesota churchgoers harassed by anti-ICE protesters for ‘entitlement’ and ‘white supremacy’

It's important to understand there's a monumental world of difference between Christian Nationalism, and white nationalism. One is a religious idealogy, the other is racism, straight up. It's also important to understand that there are some Christians who claim to be Christian Nationalists that do actually hold to some sickening racists ideals. I don't expect those on the outside looking in to immediately spot the difference, since it's even confusing for a lot of us Christians. But the important thing to know is that the two labels are not the same thing at all and cannot be used interchangeably.

Pastor Joe Rigney, one of the co-founders of Cities Church (who hasn't been there in years) does in fact hold to Christian Nationalism, but the man is not a racist, and the current leaders of Cities Church are also NOT white nationalists, or "entitled white supremacists" as Don Lemon has accused.

I know you want all members to focus on the journalist side of this, but to be fair, the allegations against Cities Church and why they were targetted are entirely untrue, and highly offensive.

I will ask again since it seems this question was overlooked: IS this Pastor David Easterwood 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.

As a Christian, I find Christian Nationalism to also be highly offensive and counter to the principles on which this country was founded. I think whether he's a Christian Nationalist or a white Nationalist, it's still relevant because it was the basis of the protest.

I would feel this way about any crime. If there was a thread on WS of a victim being assaulted or murdered or something and that particular victim had racey things in his/her past that made him/her a target for the crime, that would be discussed, wouldn't it? It's part of the story, part of the motive.

In this case, the pastor's affiliations are part of the motive. I don't find this to be a contradiction in policy.

MOO.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

IMO The protesters and agitators, along with Don Lemon, are nobodies in this context. They have no standing to enter a church during active worship and confront an entire congregation over who that church chooses to welcome as one of its own. Entering private property to disrupt a religious service is not protest. It is unlawful.

This is guilt by association weaponized as moral posturing. Working in a controversial agency, in the view of some, does not strip a person of their humanity or their faith. IMO

The protestors, sure. Don Lemon? Not so much. Indictment is bull. All show, no teeth. Journalists have rights in this country.

MOO.

 

[otto]

The group that protested is: racialjusticemn (p.17; affidavit).

The independent journalist said:

“I think people who are in religious groups like that — it’s not the type of Christianity that I practice — but I think they’re entitled, and that entitlement comes from white supremacy,” Lemon said of Minnesota’s Cities Church."

 

[otto]

If we put "racial justice" together with a journalist's belief that a church represents "white supremacy", what insights does that provide about the protest?

 

[Summerliz03]

If we put "racial justice" together with a journalist's belief that a church represents "white supremacy", what insights does that provide about the protest?

If a conservative reporter covered an anti-abortion protest or a protest that happened at an abortion clinic, would it be obvious of their motives to cover the protest? And would you consider them a protester at that point, since they agree with the protesters that abortion is immoral? The FACE Act is apparently no longer going to even be a factor for anti abortion protesters so I assume we will start seeing more of that happening. So any conservative journalist or even Fox News shouldn’t cover that news since their views happen to align with the protestors?

 

[Ontario Mom]

As a Christian, I find Christian Nationalism to also be highly offensive and counter to the principles on which this country was founded. I think whether he's a Christian Nationalist or a white Nationalist, it's still relevant because it was the basis of the protest.

I would feel this way about any crime. If there was a thread on WS of a victim being assaulted or murdered or something and that particular victim had racey things in his/her past that made him/her a target for the crime, that would be discussed, wouldn't it? It's part of the story, part of the motive.

In this case, the pastor's affiliations are part of the motive. I don't find this to be a contradiction in policy.

MOO.

That is not accurate according to the PC affidavit. Protestors on site at the church made it clear they were there protesting ICE, and at that church specifically due to Pastor Easterwood's connection to US federal immigration.

The pastors and/or leaders of that church and what they believe about Christian Nationalism was never once mentioned in any of the charging documents as the reason for the protest.

ETA: See pages 3, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11 FBI affidavit in suport of arrest warrant | PDF | U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement | American Government

According to the protestors this was all about ICE, and had nothing whatsoever to do with Christian Nationalism or white nationalism, or any other issue.

 

[otto]

If a conservative reporter covered an anti-abortion protest or a protest that happened at an abortion clinic, would it be obvious of their motives to cover the protest? And would you consider them a protester at that point, since they agree with the protesters that abortion is immoral? The FACE Act is apparently no longer going to even be a factor for anti abortion protesters so I assume we will start seeing more of that happening. So any conservative journalist or even Fox News shouldn’t cover that news since their views happen to align with the protestors?

I don't know what a "conservative reporter" is.

Does it mean a pro-life reporter?

 

[witchway]

I guess he doesn't know about the FACE Act.

Of course he did He said not applicable. Again his opinion.
He is not here, I wouldn’t even invite him, because he would have zero patience for this. I regret even mentioning his input if people are going to trash his comments I passed on for context.

 

[Summerliz03]

I don't know what a "conservative reporter" is.

Does it mean a pro-life reporter?

Umm sure? Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, George Will, David French would all be conservative journalists/media IMO.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

If we put "racial justice" together with a journalist's belief that a church represents "white supremacy", what insights does that provide about the protest?

Any claim of “journalist” status is contradicted by his conduct, which aligns with that of a protester. imo

 

[Rolypolyoly]

If we put "racial justice" together with a journalist's belief that a church represents "white supremacy", what insights does that provide about the protest?

That the journalist had an opinion on the subject matter and made an informed choice to cover the unfolding story which he believed should be told?

 

[Rolypolyoly]

I don't know what a "conservative reporter" is.

Does it mean a pro-life reporter?

I would take that to mean a reporter with conservative views, which would include pro birth, just like some posters would declscribe DL as liberal?

 

[branmuffin]

The pastor's other profession was working for federal immigration enforcement charged with detainment and deportation of illegal immigrants. I don't know any country that would just sit by and watch 15 million illegal immigrants enter the country with no repercussions.

It seems to me the 15 million illegal immigrants didn't flood into the US all at once. Many people parrot what Trump says about them all coming in during Biden's tenure which we all know is a load of malarkey.

So far, ICE has scooped up individuals who have lived in the US for more than 30 years, American citizens, legal immigrants, people with no criminal records, people with steady employment who pay their taxes, then unceremoniously dump them at gas stations in the winter with little clothing or send them to countries they aren't even from. I would say that individuals who have been exemplary, hard working residents should have a road to citizenship but too many Americans have blinders on and see these people as criminals.

So if this 'pastor' is doing his job as an ICE executive of scooping up people who are brown or have accents, not just illegals, his actions completely contradict the ideas of empathy, humility, mercy and goodwill that are characteristics of an individual who follows Christ and believes in the Word. I think he's 0 for 4 on that front and needs to choose his ICE career and stick with that.

 

[otto]

That the journalist had an opinion on the subject matter and made an informed choice to cover the unfolding story which he believed should be told?

Sure, but federal immigration officers are picking up anyone who is an illegal immigrant, or who is an immigrant with a criminal history. Caucasian Canadians have been picked up and put in detention.

I'm not convinced that "racialjusticemn" and "white supremacy" causes can be connected to federal immigration officers. It could be interpreted that people who have something to say about "racialjusticemn" and "white supremacy" are using ongoing protests against federal immigration law to further their cause.

Case in point:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/jasmine-mooney-ice-detainee-canada-mexico-border-work-visa-1.7501758

 

[CrimeDawg123]

It seems to me the 15 million illegal immigrants didn't flood into the US all at once. Many people parrot what Trump says about them all coming in during Biden's tenure which we all know is a load of malarkey.

So far, ICE has scooped up individuals who have lived in the US for more than 30 years, American citizens, legal immigrants, people with no criminal records, people with steady employment who pay their taxes, then unceremoniously dump them at gas stations in the winter with little clothing or send them to countries they aren't even from. I would say that individuals who have been exemplary, hard working residents should have a road to citizenship but too many Americans have blinders on and see these people as criminals.

So if this 'pastor' is doing his job as an ICE executive of scooping up people who are brown or have accents, not just illegals, his actions completely contradict the ideas of empathy, humility, mercy and goodwill that are characteristics of an individual who follows Christ and believes in the Word. I think he's 0 for 4 on that front and needs to choose his ICE career and stick with that.

Amen