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

[otto]

I think that all of the support from other journalists does. If you read back, you will see many links about that support have been posted.

imo

It's also possible that there's a silent majority of journalists that is horrified that an independent journalist had any involvement with what he described as a "resistance operation" in a church during a church service.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

So if a doctor with patients is still a doctor, why isn't a journalist with viewers still a journalist?

Because he does not have any. People are viewing this post, but this clearly does not make a journalist. I wrote a blog for 5+ years on newspaper website. Did that make me a journalist and, if so, am I still one?

 

[J. J. in Phila]

No, his 30 years of proven career and his press credentials do!

And his employment ended in 2003. Was he still a journalist in 2026?

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

My advice is to go to his YT page and watch the entire video, from the source. I don't know if it's still there but that's where he posted it.

I've gone there. He has a lot of videos and a lot of live streams and I saw many about the protests in general, but I did not see the OG live stream. I could have missed it or he removed it. If he's smart, he would have removed it.

The impact this event had on the pastor and the congregation is exactly why there are US federal laws protecting the freedom of worship, and from the impact this kind of obstructive interferance has on those in a house of worship. It's literally the only reason Lemon was federally indicted along with the rest of them there that day. So yes, I believe how it affected the folks at Cities Church matters a great deal.

jmo

We see this very differently. I don't need to know the impact on the pastor or congregation to say a law was broken. That isn't what I'm disputing. The FACE Act is law. For whatever reason it's law, it's law. And people have been arrested for violating it in other settings. What I am disputing is whether or not journalists who cover the crime are equally culpable. That's an entirely different question and is not dependent on the impact of this event on the pastor or congregation.

MOO.

 

[witchway]

And his employment ended in 2003. Was he still a journalist in 2026?

2023 from CNN. Now he is self employed. He is still a journalist. He still gets press passes.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

And his employment ended in 2003. Was he still a journalist in 2026?

No it didn't. It ended in 2023.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

I've gone there. He has a lot of videos and a lot of live streams and I saw many about the protests in general, but I did not see the OG live stream. I could have missed it or he removed it. If he's smart, he would have removed it.



We see this very differently. I don't need to know the impact on the pastor or congregation to say a law was broken. That isn't what I'm disputing. The FACE Act is law. For whatever reason it's law, it's law. And people have been arrested for violating it in other settings. What I am disputing is whether or not journalists who cover the crime are equally culpable. That's an entirely different question and is not dependent on the impact of this event on the pastor or congregation.

MOO.

Those are two points that are questionable:

1. Is he a journalist?

2, Was he doing something beyond covering a crime?

 

[SouthAussie]

It's also possible that there's a silent majority of journalists that is horrified that an independent journalist had any involvement with what he described as a "resistance operation" in a church during a church service.

Possibly. But I think that journalists write about their feelings. There are so many opinions out there - from legals and journalists - who are having their voices heard.

imo

 

[J. J. in Phila]

No it didn't. It ended in 2023.

Correct, that was a typo, but his employment did end.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

Because he does not have any. People are viewing this post, but this clearly does not make a journalist. I wrote a blog for 5+ years on newspaper website. Did that make me a journalist and may I still one?

That's objectively false. His YT page has over one million subscribers. Not viewers, subscribers.

If you were a professional journalist for 30 years and then wrote a blog, yes, I would say you're a journalist.

This is wild to me.

MOO.

 

[SouthAussie]

Correct, that was a typo, but his employment did end.

His employment with that company ended. His self employment began.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

That's objectively false. His YT page has over one million subscribers. Not viewers, subscribers.

If you were a professional journalist for 30 years and then wrote a blog, yes, I would say you're a journalist.

This is wild to me.

MOO.

That will be something the court will have to determine. Many people, entertainer, may have a lot of subscribers, but they are not journalist.

 

[Ontario Mom]

I've gone there. He has a lot of videos and a lot of live streams and I saw many about the protests in general, but I did not see the OG live stream. I could have missed it or he removed it. If he's smart, he would have removed it.

The video is still up, and I've asked for permission from a mod to post the direct link.

 

[Inthedetails]

His employment with that company ended. His self employment began.

And he retains his 30+ years of experience in the profession.

Why are people dismissing this man's LONG CAREER as professional journalist? Rude.

jmo

 

[J. J. in Phila]

His employment with that company ended. His self employment began.

Is the journalism or entertainment?

 

[Rolypolyoly]

And his employment ended in 2003. Was he still a journalist in 2026?

What? So if he isnt employed by a network he is no longer a journalist? Even though he is actively still reporting?
Does that mean that an independent contractor in say, construction or mechanics is no longer a builder or a mechanic? If I take my dog to a groomer who runs their own business and they are the sole employee, are they no longer a dog groomer?
Seriously?!

 

[J. J. in Phila]

And he retains his 30+ years of experience in the profession.

Why are people dismissing this man's LONG CAREER? Rude.

jmo

His experience has nothing to do with it. It is a question of his status at the time of the incident.

 

[J. J. in Phila]

What? So if he isnt employed by a network he is no longer a journalist? Even though he is actively still reporting?
Does that mean that an independent contractor in say, construction or mechanics is no longer a builder or a mechanic? If I take my dog to a groomer who runs their own business and they are the sole employee, are they no longer a dog groomer?
Seriously?!

That may not make him a journalist. A commentator is not necessarily a journalist.

 

[tricia]

My advice is to go to his YT page and watch the entire video, from the source. I don't know if it's still there but that's where he posted it.

The impact this event had on the pastor and the congregation is exactly why there are US federal laws protecting the freedom of worship, and from the impact this kind of obstructive interference has on those in a house of worship. It's literally the only reason Lemon was federally indicted along with the rest of them there that day. So yes, I believe how it affected the folks at Cities Church matters a great deal.

jmo

If you have the actual video on his YouTube page please post itmake sure it is the correct source. I have not been able to find it but it has been a while since I looked. It hasn't been there for a while.

The video is still up, and I've asked for permission from a mod to post the direct link.

In the past I have looked and looked and couldn't find it. But it has been a while since I tried. If his video from that day is posted on his YouTube channel then yes. Post it. We need it but please make sure it is Don Lemon's channel and not a pretend one. I worry that this may not be the real thing because it has not been available for a while now.
Thanks.

 

[Ontario Mom]

Yes, it's nearly 7 hours long. I would encourage folks to watch it in it's entirety.
If folks haven't been able to find it there, it's under the LIVE tab. It's been there since the day of the event.