Don Lemon Arrested and Faces Federal Charges After Covering Church Protest

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles in connection with his coverage of a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 18, 2026.

The protest at Cities Church was organized by activists opposing immigration enforcement policies, and it interrupted a worship service. Lemon — who now works as an independent journalist — livestreamed parts of the event. Federal authorities say his presence and actions violated laws intended to protect worshippers’ rights, and he has been charged with conspiracy and interfering with First Amendment rights under federal civil rights statutes.

Lemon was arrested on January 29 while in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards and later released without bond after a court appearance. He has pled not guilty and plans to fight the charges.

Throughout the case, Lemon and his attorney have maintained that he was performing his constitutional duty as a journalist — documenting newsworthy events rather than participating in a protest. Lemon has said he “will not be silenced,” and press-freedom advocates argue the charges set a concerning precedent for reporting and free speech.

The situation has drawn reactions from legal experts, civil liberties groups, and public figures, highlighting broader debates about press freedom, the role of journalists in volatile events, and government authority.