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

[imstilla.grandma]

Formal / News style: Former U.S. attorney joins Lemon’s defense team amid controversy over federal immigration enforcement policies. Ex-prosecutor who resigned in protest of immigration policy now represents the former CNN anchor in high-profile case. Move highlights tensions within the Justice Department over immigration and civil rights prosecutions. Professional & engaging: A rare switch from prosecutor to defender brings new weight to Lemon’s legal battle. The hiring underscores growing debate over press freedom and federal enforcement priorities. Short & impactful: A controversial resignation turns into a powerful legal alliance. From government watchdog to Lemon’s defender​

In a notable twist, Lemon has added Joseph H. Thompson, a former interim U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, to his defense team. Thompson had served nearly 17 years in the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office and held senior leadership positions, including acting U.S. Attorney, before resigning in January amid internal disagreements over how federal authorities were handling immigration-related cases and certain investigations.

A court filing earlier this week confirmed that Thompson will appear as counsel of record for Lemon, joining powerhouse defense attorney Abbe Lowell in representing the journalist in federal court. Lowell is known for representing high-profile clients in politically charged cases and is expected to lead the defense strategy.
I
Thompson’s decision to switch sides — from federal prosecutor to defense counsel — against the very office he once helped lead adds an unusual dynamic to the case. It pits Lemon’s defense team directly against seasoned federal attorneys with whom Thompson once worked, potentially reshaping legal tactics and courtroom dynamics.

Don Lemon Hires Federal Prosecutor Who Quit Over Immigration Crackdown

Formal / News style: Former U.S. attorney joins Lemon’s defense team amid controversy over federal immigration enforcement policies. Ex-prosecutor who resigned in protest of immigration policy now represents the former CNN anchor in high-profile case. Move highlights tensions within the Justice...

vocal.media

 

[Ruminations]

Almost like they want to tank it from the start. Interesting tactic.

jmopinion

I don't think they are concerned with tanking the case or not.

Because the point is not to win in court.

The point is to distract from the extrajudicial killings on the streets of Minnesota and to chill protesters and journalists.

BTW, thank you for your well-researched posts. I loved reading about why the Bush-appointed judge rejected prosecuting this case.

MOO

 

[Ruminations]

Curious what DOJ lawyers will be in court on Friday?

Lol, the herd has been reverse-culled. Many ethical legal professionals left.

I guess that's better for them since the strategy appears to be to try this case over twitter. Fewer attorneys will be there saying, we can't do that!

MOO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Thompson will now represent Lemon as he looks to fend off federal civil rights charges.

The indictment stems from Lemon’s coverage of a Jan. 18 demonstration in which protestors interrupted a St. Paul church service to oppose a pastor who reportedly serves as a federal immigration officer.

Lemon maintains he was acting as a journalist and denies wrongdoing.

https://www.kxan.com/news/national-news/don-lemon-hires-federal-prosecutor-who-resigned-over-minnesota-probes/

 

[Izzylizzy]

What happens at an arraignment in Federal court:

The defendant enters a plea to the charges brought by the U.S. attorney at a hearing known as an arraignment. The defendant is read or given a copy of the charge and is asked to plead guilty or not guilty. Typically at an arraignment, a defendant enters a plea of not guilty. The Court will then set a docket call/jury trial date in accordance with the Speedy Trial Act.

https://mie.fd.org/clients-and-families/federal-court-process

I'm curious if by Trump/DOJ having had pardoned 23 convicted and pending people charged under the FACE ACT for abortion clinics if Abbe Lowell can put this before Judge as exculpatory evidence citing political and revenge motivation for charging Lemon & Fort and ask for a dismissal of the charges?
imo