What began as an ordinary church service in the Midwest has now spiraled into a high-profile legal drama involving a former cable news star.
Weeks after a chaotic protest disrupted worshippers at a Minnesota church, federal authorities have moved in, arresting Don Lemon and charging him over his role in the incident.
Federal Agents Arrest Don Lemon in Los Angeles
Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, was taken into federal custody in Los Angeles on Friday morning.
The arrest is tied to a January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, an event Lemon was filming for his own show.
According to federal officials, the demonstration crossed legal lines, prompting charges that have now followed Lemon across state lines.
The Charges He Now Faces
Prosecutors say Lemon has been charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and violating the FACE Act, a federal law that prohibits interference with religious services.
Authorities allege the protest disrupted worship and infringed on the First Amendment rights of churchgoers who were attending the service peacefully.
Why This Church Became a Target
The protest focused on Cities Church because one of its pastors, David Easterwood, also serves as the acting director of the St. Paul ICE field office.
Demonstrators opposed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement zeroed in on Easterwood’s dual role, arguing that his leadership within ICE conflicted with the church’s mission.
What Happened Inside the Church
Video footage from the day shows Lemon smiling and filming as protesters entered the church.
Worshippers were reportedly shouted at and harassed, with chants and accusations echoing through the sanctuary.
The incident quickly went viral, triggering backlash and outrage well beyond Minnesota.
Lemon’s First Amendment Defense
Lemon has insisted he did nothing illegal.
He has repeatedly argued that his actions were protected by the Constitution, pointing to freedoms of speech, assembly, and protest.
Speaking directly to the church’s pastor during the incident, Lemon defended his presence as lawful and journalistic.
Federal Interest and Legal Roadblocks
Federal officials had earlier signaled their intention to pursue charges under the FACE Act.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon even suggested the Ku Klux Klan Act as a possible avenue, citing laws that ban intimidation meant to prevent people from exercising their civil rights.
A federal judge in Minneapolis initially blocked those efforts, making Lemon’s eventual arrest all the more dramatic.
A Night Out Before the Arrest
Just hours before being taken into custody, Lemon attended the Recording Academy Honors during Grammy week in Los Angeles.
Photos from the event show him posing alongside rapper Busta Rhymes, a sharp contrast to the legal storm that would follow later that night.
Life After CNN
Lemon, now 59, was fired from CNN in April 2023 after 17 years with the network.
His exit came shortly after backlash over remarks suggesting women in their 40s were “past their prime” during a discussion about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
Since leaving CNN, Lemon has rebranded himself as an independent journalist, running his own YouTube channel.
Personal Life Away From the Cameras
He currently lives in New York with his husband, real estate agent Tim Malone, whom he married in 2024.
Until now, Lemon’s post-CNN life had largely stayed out of the courtroom.
Protest Leaders Speak Out
During the church protest, activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, who was later arrested herself, made clear why Easterwood was the focus.
She accused the church of hypocrisy, arguing it could not claim to be a house of God while, in her words, sheltering someone she said was responsible for aggressive immigration enforcement in local communities.
What Happens Next
With Lemon now in federal custody and facing serious charges, the case is likely to test the boundaries between protest rights, religious freedom, and journalistic activity.
The coming weeks will determine whether this incident ends as a dismissed controversy or becomes a landmark legal battle over where free expression stops and federal law begins.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn