Don Lemon Freed After Arrest, but Still Faces Federal Civil Rights Charges Over Anti-ICE Church Protest

Don Lemon was released Friday after being arrested in connection with his coverage of an anti-ICE protest — but the former CNN anchor is still facing serious federal civil rights charges.

“I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now. I will not stop ever,” Lemon told reporters outside a Los Angeles federal courthouse on Jan. 30.

Inside the courtroom, Lemon, 59, blew a kiss to his husband, Tim Malone, who watched from the gallery. After his arraignment at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, Lemon exited the courthouse hand-in-hand with Malone, 41, as a supporter shouted, “We got your back, Don. We’re proud of you.”

The charges stem from a Jan. 18 protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators interrupted a religious service to protest immigration enforcement, chanting “ICE out.” Prosecutors allege Lemon violated a federal law protecting the right to worship without interference.

Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, disputes that claim, saying Lemon entered the church solely in his role as a journalist covering the protest.

“Mr. Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards,” Lowell said in a statement earlier Friday.

Both the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the arrest. According to the FBI, Lemon was detained in Beverly Hills around midnight on a federal warrant issued in another district.

Court records from the U.S. District of Minnesota show Lemon is charged with conspiracy to violate religious freedom rights and with injuring, intimidating, or interfering with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship.

Under the terms of his release, Lemon is free to travel within the U.S. and keep his passport, though international travel requires approval. He is also barred from contacting any alleged victims or witnesses. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 9 in Minneapolis.

In court, attorney Marilyn Bednarski said Lemon plans to plead not guilty and is “committed to fighting this case.”

The arrest follows what Lemon’s legal team describes as a prolonged effort by the government to prosecute him for attending — and covering — the protest. Initially, the Justice Department sought charges against eight people. Minnesota Chief District Judge Patrick Schiltz allowed only three cases to proceed, citing insufficient evidence against Lemon and others.

That decision did not end the matter. A newly unsealed 14-page indictment reveals prosecutors later secured grand jury charges against nine individuals tied to the incident, adding Lemon, independent journalist Georgia Fort, and Black Lives Matter leader Trahern Jeen Crews.

Prosecutors allege Lemon and Fort livestreamed as dozens of protesters entered the church, interrupted the service, and blew whistles — describing the incident as a “takeover-style attack” that traumatized congregants.

Speaking outside the courthouse Friday, Lemon rejected the accusation and insisted the prosecution would not deter him from reporting on immigration enforcement.

“Last night, the DOJ sent federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night for doing what I’ve done for 30 years — covering the news,” Lemon said. “The First Amendment protects me and countless other journalists. I stand with them, and I will not be silent. I look forward to my day in court.”

Just a week before his arrest, Lemon said he expected authorities would try again after earlier attempts failed.

“I’m not naive,” he told Scripps News on Jan. 23. “If one thing doesn’t work, they try another. They don’t give up because they want to save face. I don’t know what’s next.”

Lemon also predicted the Trump administration would “go around a judge” if it couldn’t find a law that fit.

For now, Lemon is free — but the legal battle over press freedom, protest, and the limits of federal power is far from over.