Don Lemon, an independent journalist and former CNN anchor, was arrested for conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship.
11 days after filming a protest at the St. Paul Church in Minnesota, Lemon was arrested along with three others, a local independent journalist and two activists. Prosecutors allege that they “oppressed, threatened and intimidated the Church congregants and pastors by physically occupying most of the main aisle and row of chairs near the front of the Church, engaging in menacing and threatening behavior.” They also allege that Lemon specifically “posted himself” at the church’s entrance and “confronted some congregants and physically obstructed them as they tried to exit the church building to challenge them with ‘facts’ about US immigration policy.”
Lemon’s arrest took place as he returned to his hotel room after covering a Grammys event. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, Lemon states that he was in front of the elevator when he was “jostled” by multiple people, handcuffed and told he was under arrest.
The journalist said he asked them for a warrant and was shown a copy on a phone by someone from the FBI. Lemon responded to the presence of the FBI by stating, “FBI guys were out there. I mean, it had to be maybe a dozen people, which is a waste of resources.”
He explained that his attorney had tried to contact them and that he had offered to turn himself in instead of the FBI “[having] all these people following [him] around.”
Upon Kimmel responding that his arrest was “more than a waste of resources,” Lemon answered, “You’re right about more than just a waste of resources … They want to embarrass you. They want to intimidate you. They want to instill fear.” Lemon also mentioned that he was denied his one phone call and was instead told by the Homeland Security workers that arrested them that “you get to talk to your attorney whenever the court says that you can.”
Lemon and the three other people arrested were released from custody on Jan. 30, 2026, without bail but under court-ordered conditions. Lemon’s lawyer states that they are planning on proceeding to plead not guilty and fight the charges, with Lemon adding, “I look forward to my date in court.” He is expected to appear in court on Feb. 9, 2026, in Minneapolis.
As protests continue in the United States, multiple journalists, humanitarian committees and news organizations have condemned Don Lemon’s arrest and discussed its significance on the First Amendment. CNN said in a post on X that the arrest “raises profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment.” Following his release, Lemon has addressed these implications and has said that while he feels vulnerable, he is determined to defend what he sees as an attack on free speech.
