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

[Hexe]

Does Don Lemon change hats before entering the church? Why would he change hats when the first one clearly identifies him as a journalist, which is how he wanted to be received by the congregation.

I'd say that a mic and a cameraman identified him later clear enough.

MOO

 

[Inthedetails]

Is it unusual that an unsigned indictment has been filed with the court? It is stamped that it was filed on 1/29/26, and yet both signature lines have not been signed.

View attachment 642723

Don Lemon indictment

www.documentcloud.org

I don't know as I've never served on a Grand Jury or had occassion to question why a GJ document online wouldn't be signed (there might be a reasonable reason). But, I found a Federal Grand Jury handbook, bbm

The grand jury is not completely free to compel a trial of anyone it chooses. The United States Attorney must sign the indictment before one may be prosecuted. Thus, the government and the grand jury act as checks upon each other. This assures that neither may arbitrarily wield the awesome power to indict a person of a crime.

https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/sites/dcd/files/HandbookFederalGrandJurors.pdf

To me, this is just general info to know rather than a smoking gun. imo

jmo

 

[SouthAussie]

I don't know as I've never served on a Grand Jury or had occassion to question why a GJ document online wouldn't be signed (there might be a reasonable reason). But, I found a Federal Grand Jury handbook, bbm

The grand jury is not completely free to compel a trial of anyone it chooses. The United States Attorney must sign the indictment before one may be prosecuted. Thus, the government and the grand jury act as checks upon each other. This assures that neither may arbitrarily wield the awesome power to indict a person of a crime.

https://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/sites/dcd/files/HandbookFederalGrandJurors.pdf

To me, this is just general info to know rather than a smoking gun. imo

jmo

I have been looking all over the place. Yes, lots of general info out there ... eg: an indictment must be signed by the grand jury foreperson and the prosecutor. Yes, it must be filed with the courts.

So how does the court timestamp a date of filing on an indictment if it not yet signed by anyone?

A bit odd. I can't seem to find a reason for it.

imo

 

[Inthedetails]

I have been looking all over the place. Yes, lots of general info out there ... eg: an indictment must be signed by the grand jury foreperson and the prosecutor. Yes, it must be filed with the courts.

So how does the court timestamp a date of filing on an indictment if it not yet signed by anyone?

A bit odd. I can't seem to find a reason for it.

imo

I'm honestly less concerned about the signatures (I'm assuming they were signed) than I am about people not understanding the difference between a journalist and a protester.

jmopinion

 

[Ontario Mom]

I'm honestly less concerned about the signatures (I'm assuming they were signed) than I am about people not understanding the difference between a journalist and a protester.

jmopinion

I believe most people understand the difference just fine.
I also believe that many, many people don't think Lemon was there just to cover a story, while other people do.
Fair enough. It's easy to understand that folks disagree.

I also believe there is video (and audio, and statements made by those who were there) evidence showing he actively participated in the chaos that went on inside the church during their regularly scheduled time of worship.

jmo

 

[SouthAussie]

I'm honestly less concerned about the signatures (I'm assuming they were signed) than I am about people not understanding the difference between a journalist and a protester.

jmopinion

I think that the courts will understand the difference ... judging by the majority of judges who declined to charge Don.

It is concerning that an unsigned indictment can be filed with the court. The foreperson's signature is supposed to certify that the correct amount of jurors were present, and that they agree with the indictment.

Seeing that the feds were obviously in a rush to arrest Don on the 30th, it seems they probably needed to file by the 29th. Didn't manage to get the qualifying and required signatures first?

Maybe we are seeing a filed "draft" indictment, and not the actual filed signed indictment. If so, are they the same, and was it signed prior to them arresting Don? Could it be a technical legal error presented by the defence, if it wasn't signed prior to arresting Don?


imo

 

[otto]

I believe most people understand the difference just fine.
I also believe that many, many people don't think Lemon was there just to cover a story, while other people do.
Fair enough. It's easy to understand that folks disagree.

I also believe there is video (and audio, and statements made by those who were there) evidence showing he actively participated in the chaos that went on inside the church during their regularly scheduled time of worship.

jmo

If there is any video of Don Lemon chanting with protesters inside the church during the scheduled religious meeting, that will put him into the split role of protester and journalist ... at best.

 

[witchway]

If there is any video of Don Lemon chanting with protesters inside the church during the scheduled religious meeting, that will put him into the split role of protester and journalist ... at best.

Well the full live stream was provided here…

 

[Ontario Mom]

Well the full live stream was provided here…

One source among many, yes.

It will be most interesting to compare all the video evidence mentioned in the affidavit, once it all comes out, to the evidence in the Lemon livestream.

 

[otto]

Well the full live stream was provided here…

I can't watch it because it's age restricted - meaning I need to sign-in to youtube to watch it. I'm assuming that there were several people taking video in church that Sunday morning.

 

[Inthedetails]

bbm

A former Cincinnati Republican congressional candidate is the lead counsel in the prosecution of Don Lemon. ....

Orlando Sonza, who previously ran against U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, is lead counsel in the case, according to federal court documents.

President Donald Trump appointed Sonza to the civil rights division for the U.S. Department of Justice in July. ...

Before his appointment to the Department of Justice, Sonza previously served as executive director of the Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/07/former-cincinnati-candidate-handling-doj-case-against-don-lemon/88550022007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z114139p118150c118150u002239v114139&gca-ft=49&gca-ds=sophi

About the source: The Enquirer has served Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for more than 180 years...We're dedicated to providing essential watchdog and investigative journalism that improves our communities and holds those in power accountable. [More at the link if interested]

 

[Betty P]

One source among many, yes.

It will be most interesting to compare all the video evidence mentioned in the affidavit, once it all comes out, to the evidence in the Lemon livestream.

So we’ll wait until all the video evidence is submitted and we’ll watch it.

 

[Betty P]

bbm

A former Cincinnati Republican congressional candidate is the lead counsel in the prosecution of Don Lemon. ....

Orlando Sonza, who previously ran against U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, is lead counsel in the case, according to federal court documents.

President Donald Trump appointed Sonza to the civil rights division for the U.S. Department of Justice in July. ...

Before his appointment to the Department of Justice, Sonza previously served as executive director of the Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/07/former-cincinnati-candidate-handling-doj-case-against-don-lemon/88550022007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z114139p118150c118150u002239v114139&gca-ft=49&gca-ds=sophi

About the source: The Enquirer has served Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for more than 180 years...We're dedicated to providing essential watchdog and investigative journalism that improves our communities and holds those in power accountable. [More at the link if interested]

Interesting. Sonza’s work history doesn’t appear to include any courtroom or experience, typical for Ohio Republican appointments to important positions requiring legal qualifications.

Biography​

“Orlando Sonza served in the U.S. Army from 2013 to 2016. He earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2013, a graduate degree from the University of Cincinnati in 2018, and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2022. Sonza's professional experience includes working as a certified public accountant, IRS enrolled agent, and executive director.”

Orlando Sonza

Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics

ballotpedia.org

So this guy with no courtroom experience is going to prosecute these journalists. That will be interesting.