Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Don Lemon Arrested Over Church Protest
Don Lemon, a former CNN journalist, was arrested in Los Angeles on January 29, 2024, for his involvement in an anti-immigration protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2024.
Lemon was filming protesters who disrupted a church service, and he says he was just doing his job as a journalist.
His lawyer argues that the arrest is an attack on the First Amendment and a distraction from other issues, including the deaths of two protesters shot by federal agents in Minnesota.
The Department of Justice is investigating the church disruption but has not looked into the deaths caused by federal agents.
Protests are happening across the United States to demand that federal immigration agents withdraw from Minnesota, where the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens have sparked public outrage.
Don Lemon, a former CNN journalist, was arrested in Los Angeles on January 29, 2024, for his involvement in an anti-immigration protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2024.
Lemon was filming protesters who disrupted a church service, and he maintains he was acting as an independent journalist with no affiliation to the protesters.
Federal prosecutors allege civil rights infractions by impeding a religious service, but the exact charges against Lemon are unspecified.
Lemon's lawyer argues that the arrest is an attack on the First Amendment and a distraction from other issues, including the deaths of two protesters shot by federal agents in Minnesota.
The Department of Justice is investigating the church disruption but has not initiated a civil rights inquiry into the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.
- Who
- Don Lemon, an independent journalist and former CNN host
- What
- Arrested for his involvement in an anti-immigration demonstration at a Minnesota church
- When
- Arrested on January 29, 2024, regarding an incident on January 18, 2024
- Where
- Arrested in Los Angeles, California, for an incident at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota
- Why
- Federal prosecutors allege civil rights infractions by impeding a religious service
Protesters and Supporters
Government and Law Enforcement
Role of Don Lemon
Protesters and Supporters
Don Lemon was acting as an independent journalist covering the protest and should not have been arrested.
Government and Law Enforcement
Don Lemon was involved in the protest and violated federal law by impeding a religious service.
Investigation Focus
Protesters and Supporters
The Justice Department should focus on investigating the fatal shootings of protesters by federal agents.
Government and Law Enforcement
The Justice Department is appropriately investigating the disruption of a religious service and the actions of protesters.
- Name
- Don Lemon
- Occupation
- Independent Journalist and Former CNN Anchor
- Arrest Date
- January 29, 2024
- Location of Arrest
- Los Angeles, California
- Incident Date
- January 18, 2024
- Location of Incident
- Cities Church, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Charges
- Unspecified (related to civil rights infractions)
- Defendant's Claim
- Acting as an independent journalist
Sources
Who is Don Lemon and why is he arrested?
Former CNN journalist Don Lemon arrested over Minnesota church protest tied to anti-ICE demonstration
Who is Don Lemon? Ex-CNN anchor arrested over Minnesota protest charges
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