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

[PrairieWind]

yes @SouthAussie you can count me in as a total defender of Lemon and the rights of the press and YES I WATCHED THE VIDEO's - the truth dies in the dark - and we would be in the total darkness without the press
This whole thing is a total witch hunt
And I am neither party - smack dab in the middle just fyi

JMO

So you are right in the middle. In the same area, we have the massive fraud issue. Would you be ok with accompanying a group to invade a mosque in St. Paul, to intentionally disrupt the morning or evening prayers (required under Islam) to confront the members for not doing more to prevent this fraud? Would you?

 

[303gmf]

So you are right in the middle. In the same area, we have the massive fraud issue. Would you be ok with accompanying a group to invade a mosque in St. Paul, to intentionally disrupt the morning or evening prayers (required under Islam) to confront the members for not doing more to prevent this fraud? Would you?

Fraud? Where is the fraud?

 

[PrairieWind]

Fraud? Where is the fraud?

https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2026/01/CASE-026-cr-00025-LMP-DLM.pdf

At least $9B billed across 14 Medicaid services in Minnesota may be fraudulent, top prosecutor says

A top prosecutor suggested on Thursday that the total amount of fraud in Minnesota could be $9 billion or more.

www.cbsnews.com

Attorney General Ellison announces over $3 million in fraud charges against Medicaid provider

Minneapolis Man’s Agency, Guardian Home Health Services, defrauded multiple programs recently identified as high risk

www.ag.state.mn.us

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/five-more-plead-guilty-feeding-our-future-fraud-scheme

Individual who pleaded guilty in fraud scheme reportedly met with Minnesota AG

Five individuals pleaded guilty in the "Minnesota Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme," according to the Department of Justice on Friday.

katu.com

I'm sorry, did you need more than the obvious?

 

[waldojabba]

So you are right in the middle. In the same area, we have the massive fraud issue. Would you be ok with accompanying a group to invade a mosque in St. Paul, to intentionally disrupt the morning or evening prayers (required under Islam) to confront the members for not doing more to prevent this fraud? Would you?

@PrairieWind -

This is the Don Lemon /thread - My opinion is as stated/ I believe it is a witch hunt with no merit as to Mr Lemon and his charge/charges.

Fraud ? I abhor Fraud. The USA is RIFE with fraud. On the one hand we have a "war" on fraud /while on the other hand we are seemingly pardoning the fraudsters at an alarming rate IMO. Who's on first.
BUT, fraud is an entirely separate topic.

I do not have a legal opinion on the protestors in the church.

My every day person opinion however is that at this point, both the congregants and protestors should reach across the aisle and offer each other grace and move on with their lives.

As a church goer I did not find the protest eggregious. Protestors being inside the church was perhaps ill advised. They would have been just as effective if they held their protest outside. Maybe with times being so highly charged because of the unprecendented climate in Minneapolis decisions were influenced.
Maybe the churches over reaction was also influenced by the hightly emotionally charged times.

We will see what the comes of the court cases.

Period. End of my story. ALL MY OPINION

 

[303gmf]

https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2026/01/CASE-026-cr-00025-LMP-DLM.pdf

At least $9B billed across 14 Medicaid services in Minnesota may be fraudulent, top prosecutor says

A top prosecutor suggested on Thursday that the total amount of fraud in Minnesota could be $9 billion or more.

www.cbsnews.com

Attorney General Ellison announces over $3 million in fraud charges against Medicaid provider

Minneapolis Man’s Agency, Guardian Home Health Services, defrauded multiple programs recently identified as high risk

www.ag.state.mn.us

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/five-more-plead-guilty-feeding-our-future-fraud-scheme

Individual who pleaded guilty in fraud scheme reportedly met with Minnesota AG

Five individuals pleaded guilty in the "Minnesota Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme," according to the Department of Justice on Friday.

katu.com

I'm sorry, did you need more than the obvious?

Have you seen

https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2026/01/CASE-026-cr-00025-LMP-DLM.pdf

At least $9B billed across 14 Medicaid services in Minnesota may be fraudulent, top prosecutor says

A top prosecutor suggested on Thursday that the total amount of fraud in Minnesota could be $9 billion or more.

www.cbsnews.com

Attorney General Ellison announces over $3 million in fraud charges against Medicaid provider

Minneapolis Man’s Agency, Guardian Home Health Services, defrauded multiple programs recently identified as high risk

www.ag.state.mn.us

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/five-more-plead-guilty-feeding-our-future-fraud-scheme

Individual who pleaded guilty in fraud scheme reportedly met with Minnesota AG

Five individuals pleaded guilty in the "Minnesota Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme," according to the Department of Justice on Friday.

katu.com

I'm sorry, did you need more than the obvious?

Reminds me of Sen Rick Scott of Florida

 

[PrairieWind]

@PrairieWind -

This is the Don Lemon /thread - My opinion is as stated/ I believe it is a witch hunt with no merit as to Mr Lemon and his charge/charges.

Fraud ? I abhor Fraud. The USA is RIFE with fraud. On the one hand we have a "war" on fraud /while on the other hand we are seemingly pardoning the fraudsters at an alarming rate IMO. Who's on first.
BUT, fraud is an entirely separate topic.

I do not have a legal opinion on the protestors in the church.

My every day person opinion however is that at this point, both the congregants and protestors should reach across the aisle and offer each other grace and move on with their lives.

As a church goer I did not find the protest eggregious. Protestors being inside the church was perhaps ill advised. They would have been just as effective if they held their protest outside. Maybe with times being so highly charged because of the unprecendented climate in Minneapolis decisions were influenced.
Maybe the churches over reaction was also influenced by the hightly emotionally charged times.

We will see what the comes of the court cases.

Period. End of my story. ALL MY OPINION

The protesters told the children that there parents were going to Hell. And you have no opinion on that? Lets take over a mosque, threaten the worshipers with damnation. and then say, lets just shake hands and move on. Would that work? or would the Minnesota AG be filing all sorts of charges. We all know that answer to that. All my opinion of course.

 

[PrairieWind]

Have you seen

Reminds me of Sen Rick Scott of Florida

That is odd, because it is NOTHING like that. The fraud in Minnesota is off the charts. Even Minnesota knows it, just trying to do damage control.

 

[Ontario Mom]

My every day person opinion however is that at this point, both the congregants and protestors should reach across the aisle and offer each other grace and move on with their lives.

Everyone in attendance that Sunday at Cities Church, there to worship, had their rights violated by Lemon and the rest of the group that showed up.

They're the victims. It would be highly admirable of them to extend grace to those who violated their rights, of course.
It's also expected in a society with laws, that those who break the law are held accountable for it.

jmo

 

[303gmf]

That is odd, because it is NOTHING like that. The fraud in Minnesota is off the charts. Even Minnesota knows it, just trying to do damage control.

He paid 1.7 billion in fines

 

[PrairieWind]

He paid 1.7 billion in fines

So we should expect Minnesota to pay $9 billion back to the US treasury?

 

[303gmf]

So we should expect Minnesota to pay $9 billion back to the US treasury?

Or fines like Sen Scott

 

[SouthAussie]

Another award for Don Lemon.


.... the longtime CNN anchor who now works as an independent journalist, will be feted with the Elizabeth Taylor Bold Voice Award for his “unwavering commitment to raising awareness about HIV and combating stigma.” He served as the 2025 champion for ETAF’s HIV Is Not A Crime Campaign. News of his award comes on the heels of being arrested over his reporting of an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church.

Don Lemon to Be Honored at Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation’s New York Dinner

The 4th annual event, set to take place at the Rainbow Room on April 21, will be hosted by CNN’s Laura Coates and honor MAC Viva glam, ETAF’s Tim Rosta and Christie’s Marc Porter and Heather Barnhart.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[branmuffin]

I've known countless Christian law enforcement over the years and there is no disparity whatsoever between being a Christian and enforcing the law of the land. In fact, there are multiple associations and fellowships both in the US and Canada, of Christian Law Enforcement and every single member would say the exact same thing.

Lemon's "I've Had It" podcast interview with Jennifer Welch posted after the protest (linked earlier in the thread) explained that that church was targetted in part because in his opinion, they're "entitled white supremacists". His very words. While I find his accusation completely racist, outrageous and untrue, he didn't seem to think the protest was about disparity. He gave the impression the church members deserved to have their service interrupted. It's truly mind blowing that anyone can defend this guy.

jmo

Respectfully, I'm interested in your comment regarding countless police officers engaged in multiple associations and fellowships in the US and Canada in Christian Law Enforcement. I'm going to challenge you on that statement, especially when it comes to Canadian LE. I worked with the OPP for nearly 25 years and I can safely say that there was NO overt activity aligning their police activities to meld with Christian law. Currently there are about 71,450 police officers in Canada. Of that group there are approx. 1000 members who are also members of the Fellowship of Christian Police Officers. That's a drop in the bucket.

What all police officers need to be well versed in is religious literacy, not Christian literacy, religious literacy. That means being well versed in the various religious communities that reside in Canada. Not promoting Christian Law Enforcement, whatever the hell that means. Our laws are already based on British Law which is based on Christian ideals but it isn't based on the biblical aspect of law. No eye for an eye, or tooth for a tooth. I think you may be conflating your US Christian background and the US Law Enforcement based on Old Testament laws with how we operate here in Canada. We don't have the death penalty here. We've evolved.

 

[Sundog]

My every day person opinion however is that at this point, both the congregants and protestors should reach across the aisle and offer each other grace and move on with their lives.

<snipped for focus>

I suspect that the congregants and pastor have already forgiven Don Lemon and the other protesters, however that's different than not holding them accountable for the crime committed.

As a church goer I did not find the protest eggregious. Protestors being inside the church was perhaps ill advised. They would have been just as effective if they held their protest outside. Maybe with times being so highly charged because of the unprecendented climate in Minneapolis decisions were influenced.
Maybe the churches over reaction was also influenced by the hightly emotionally charged times.

<Snipped for focus>

As a church goer I do find the protest egregious. And I hardly think that the church overreacted. If anything, I think the church so far has underreacted. If justice doesn't prevail in the criminal case against the protesters, then I certainly hope that there will be civil lawsuits filed. Justice and grace are not inimical.

 

[Ontario Mom]

As a church goer I do find the protest egregious. And I hardly think that the church overreacted. If anything, I think the church so far has underreacted. If justice doesn't prevail in the criminal case against the protesters, then I certainly hope that there will be civil lawsuits filed. Justice and grace are not inimical.

Re: the quoted portion, it's just sort of wild to me that this is where we are as a civilized society.

Numerous people broke the law & trampled on the rights of others. No question about it. The whole thing was filmed.
And somehow, we're debating the rights & "feelings" of those charged with violating the law? No thanks.

You break the law, you suffer the consequences. This should apply to everyone, no questions.

jmo

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

Smelly, We have been going round and round and round. The complaint states the reasons for the charges that I think will lead to convictions. DL's own videos will provide the evidence for the conviction of Armsrtong and her group. DL can make his claim to immunity as a journalist. I don't care. But his video provides the proof for the others (why I think they should dismiss his charges and use him as a witness).

I don't recall going around with you about this before today. I have gone around with a few others and every time I ask for any evidence that fit the charges, there isn't anything specific given. I guess you won't provide anything neither, while still claiming there is such evidence.

For my part, I have made a lengthy post about how the video evidence exonerates Lemon. And the indictment itself is not good evidence for the charges because the publicly available evidence refutes their allegations and so then you can't trust what it claims about evidence not public. This DOJ deserves no presumption of regularity for what's happened in this case and in many others.

If you haven't looked at the publicly posted videos yet, these are all the ones I know of. Unlike this DOJ, I will share all the evidence I have, I'm not afraid that discovery hurts my position.

Don Lemon's youtube video
Georgia Fort's fb video1
Georgia Fort's fb video2*
BLM MN's fb video*
William Kelly's tiktok video1
William Kelly's tiktok video2

*Those two links are not working today and may be taken down.

moo

 

[Snoopster]

https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2026/01/CASE-026-cr-00025-LMP-DLM.pdf

At least $9B billed across 14 Medicaid services in Minnesota may be fraudulent, top prosecutor says

A top prosecutor suggested on Thursday that the total amount of fraud in Minnesota could be $9 billion or more.

www.cbsnews.com

Attorney General Ellison announces over $3 million in fraud charges against Medicaid provider

Minneapolis Man’s Agency, Guardian Home Health Services, defrauded multiple programs recently identified as high risk

www.ag.state.mn.us

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/five-more-plead-guilty-feeding-our-future-fraud-scheme

Individual who pleaded guilty in fraud scheme reportedly met with Minnesota AG

Five individuals pleaded guilty in the "Minnesota Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme," according to the Department of Justice on Friday.

katu.com

I'm sorry, did you need more than the obvious?

So there was a possible fraud case related to a charity. What the heck does this have to do with Don Lemon's reporting? This is off topic, isn't it?

 

[Smelly Squirrel]

An attorney cannot advise people to engage in illegal activity. So I guess we can all agree that Armstrong's license to practice law is gone. Agreeing to commit a crime against innocent people is in no way advancing the effort as they wanted. In fact it has done the opposite. I'd like to see DL come out and say, this was a bad idea.

No, we don't all agree she believed she was going there to break a law. What a huge unfounded presumption to make.

I find it ridiculous to refer to Armstrong as an attorney or a minister. She has clearly violated ethical rules of an attorney, committed crimes/felonies and encouraged others to do so, and invaded houses of worship for her own purpose. I doubt any religious group would see her as anything other than a charlatan. where is her law license even from?

Not clear at all. She's only been charged, not convicted. IANAL but I'm pretty sure that's how it's supposed to work. And I highly doubt you speak for all religious groups. Respectfully, the things you're saying are kind of wild.

You may reference the charging documents. Good grief! They are all over this thread..
But here is the PBS link to the original charge. As for most, it isn't changed.

https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2026/01/CASE-026-cr-00025-LMP-DLM.pdf

We have gone over the indictment thoroughly enough by now, it's a pile of doody.

moo

 

[Snoopster]

<snipped for focus>

I suspect that the congregants and pastor have already forgiven Don Lemon and the other protesters, however that's different than not holding them accountable for the crime committed.


<Snipped for focus>

As a church goer I do find the protest egregious. And I hardly think that the church overreacted. If anything, I think the church so far has underreacted. If justice doesn't prevail in the criminal case against the protesters, then I certainly hope that there will be civil lawsuits filed. Justice and grace are not inimical.

I think many of us do not agree with interfering with a religious service. But what does this have to do with a reporter being on the scene, who also interviewed the pastor?

 

[Snoopster]

Re: the quoted portion, it's just sort of wild to me that this is where we are as a civilized society.

Numerous people broke the law & trampled on the rights of others. No question about it. The whole thing was filmed.
And somehow, we're debating the rights & "feelings" of those charged with violating the law? No thanks.

You break the law, you suffer the consequences. This should apply to everyone, no questions.

jmo

But who broke the law? Why was it the reporters who were arrested and charged?