Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles early Friday morning after taking part in a pro-immigration protest that stormed a church in Minnesota earlier this month, the Daily Mail has learned.
Lemon, 59, was taken into federal custody following an indictment by a Minnesota grand jury. He is facing charges including conspiracy to deprive rights and violating the FACE Act — a federal law that prohibits interfering with religious worship.
The incident occurred January 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul, where Lemon joined protesters targeting the church because one of its pastors also leads the local ICE office. The confrontation was filmed for Lemon’s show.
According to a source, Lemon was handcuffed by FBI and Homeland Security agents and “didn’t look happy” as he was taken into custody.
Another insider said prosecutors were aware that arresting Lemon could give him publicity — but felt action was necessary.
“He’ll probably write a book and play the martyr,” the source said. “But if you don’t act, you send the message that people can storm churches and disrupt services. That can’t stand.”
Arrest Came Just Hours After Red Carpet Appearance
Just hours before his arrest, Lemon attended the Recording Academy Honors in Los Angeles, where he posed for photos with rapper Busta Rhymes.
The protest that led to his arrest sparked outrage after demonstrators shouted at worshippers during a Sunday service. The church had been targeted because its pastor, David Easterwood, also serves as acting director of the St. Paul ICE field office.
Footage shows Lemon arguing with a pastor during the disruption, insisting his actions were protected by the First Amendment.
“There’s a Constitution. There’s freedom of speech and freedom to protest,” Lemon said during the confrontation.
Lemon Defends Himself, Blames Authorities
In a statement released by his attorney, Abbe Lowell, Lemon defended his actions as journalistic work protected by the Constitution.
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and what he was doing in Minneapolis was no different,” the statement read.
“The First Amendment exists to protect those who hold power accountable.”
Lowell also criticized federal authorities for prosecuting Lemon instead of investigating the federal agents involved in a separate shooting of protesters in Minnesota.
“This administration is using its power to distract from its own failures,” the statement said. “Don will fight these charges vigorously.”
Federal Officials Push Back
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Friday that Lemon and three others were charged in connection with what she described as an “attack” on the church.
Federal officials had previously considered charging Lemon under both the FACE Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act, which bans intimidation meant to interfere with civil rights.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the case was about protecting religious freedom — not silencing speech.
Political Fallout and Background
Lemon, who now lives in New York with his husband Tim Malone, was fired from CNN in 2023 after a controversial on-air comment about women being “past their prime.” Since then, he has branded himself as an independent journalist on YouTube.
The protest he joined targeted Pastor David Easterwood, who has publicly supported ICE operations in Minnesota. During the demonstration, activist Nekima Levy Armstrong — also later arrested — told Lemon the church was being targeted because it “harbored someone terrorizing immigrant communities.”
The case continues to spark debate over free speech, protest rights, and whether journalists should face charges for participating in demonstrations.
