Don Lemon arrested by federal agents after covering Minnesota church protest
Federal agents arrested Don Lemon and three others in Los Angeles over a January protest at a St. Paul church, officials and advocates say. Lemon says he was there as a journalist.
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By Torontoer Staff
Federal agents arrested journalist Don Lemon and three others on Friday in connection with a January protest that disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, officials said. Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said agents detained him in Los Angeles, where he had been covering the Grammy Awards.
The arrests relate to a Jan. 18 demonstration at the church, which lists an ICE official among its pastors. Authorities have not publicly detailed the specific charges facing Lemon and the other defendants.
Lemon’s defence and his account of the event
Lowell said Lemon was present as a journalist and had no affiliation with the group that entered the church. In a statement, Lowell argued the veteran broadcaster’s work is protected by the First Amendment.
Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,
Abbe Lowell, Lemon’s attorney
Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023 and now produces independent video content, livestreamed from outside the church during the protest. He repeatedly told viewers, “I’m not here as an activist. I’m here as a journalist.” After a magistrate judge initially rejected prosecutors’ first attempt to charge him, Lemon said the administration might try again and added, “Keep trying. That’s not going to stop me from being a journalist.”
Who else was arrested
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests, naming the four people taken into custody. Alongside Lemon, federal agents arrested Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy.
- Trahern Jeen Crews: a Black Lives Matter Minnesota leader who has organised protests since George Floyd’s killing.
- Georgia Fort: an independent journalist who livestreamed her arrest and said agents served a warrant related to a grand jury indictment.
- Jamael Lydell Lundy: an intergovernmental affairs manager in the Hennepin County attorney’s office and a candidate for state senate.
The protest and the civil rights inquiry
The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation after the group entered Cities Church and disrupted services with chants including “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” Good was a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman who was fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier this year.
Federal prosecutors previously arrested a civil rights attorney and two others connected with the protest, alleging civil rights violations. Defence attorneys have criticised those prosecutions as an overreach.
Nonviolent protest is not a federal felony,
Jordan Kushner, attorney for Nekima Levy Armstrong
Reactions from civil rights groups and journalism advocates
The arrests drew immediate criticism from civil rights and journalism organisations, which said the action could chill reporting and protest. The National Association of Black Journalists called the arrests “outraged and deeply alarmed,” saying they amounted to an effort to criminalise and threaten press freedom.
This is all about intimidation. And it appears that this administration does not like being scrutinised by the public and journalists. They don’t want people to see what they’re doing,
Kelly McBride, Poynter Institute
We cannot let Donald Trump put tape over our mouths to muffle our right to free speech, when his administration is conducting some of the most heinous actions in American history,
Rev. Al Sharpton
Statements from the church and federal officials
Cities Church, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, named one of its pastors as David Easterwood, who leads ICE’s St. Paul field office. The church’s lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, thanked the Department of Justice for protecting worship services.
We are grateful that the Department of Justice acted swiftly to protect Cities Church so that we can continue to faithfully live out the church’s mission to worship Jesus and make him known,
Jonathan Parnell, lead pastor, Cities Church
Attorney General Bondi framed the arrests as a defence of the right to worship. In a social media post she said federal agents acted at her direction and emphasised that worship should be free and safe.
Make no mistake. Under President Trump’s leadership and this administration, you have the right to worship freely and safely,
Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General
Timeline and next steps
- Jan. 18: Protesters interrupt services at Cities Church in St. Paul, chanting against ICE and seeking justice for Renee Good.
- Following weeks: Justice Department opens a civil rights investigation; authorities say arrests are coming.
- Last week: Federal prosecutors bring charges against several people tied to the protest; a magistrate judge initially rejected an attempt to charge Lemon.
- Friday: Federal agents arrest Lemon and three others in Los Angeles and Minnesota; authorities have not released full charging documents publicly.
Legal teams and civil rights groups say they are preparing responses. Defence attorneys have argued the arrests risk criminalising non-violent protest and press coverage, while prosecutors say they are protecting religious freedom and public safety.
As proceedings continue, Lemon has said he will keep reporting. The case raises ongoing questions about the balance between free expression, protest and enforcement actions by federal authorities.
Don Lemonpress freedomCities Churchcivil rightsMinnesota
