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demmiblue

(39,399 posts)
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 08:16 AM Yesterday

Federal Agents Arrest Don Lemon Over Minnesota Church Protest

Source: NYT

The former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested late Thursday night on charges that he violated federal law during a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minn., multiple people familiar with the matter said, in a case rejected last week by a magistrate judge.

Mr. Lemon has said he was simply reporting as a journalist when he entered the Cities Church on Jan. 18 to observe a demonstration against the immigration crackdown in the area.

The protesters interrupted a service at the church, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor, and chanted “ICE out.” Afterward, the Trump administration sought to charge eight people over the episode, including Mr. Lemon, citing a law that protects people seeking to participate in a service in a house of worship.

But the magistrate judge who reviewed the evidence approved charges against only three of the people, rejecting the evidence against Mr. Lemon and the others as insufficient. The Justice Department then petitioned a federal appeals court to force the judge to issue the additional warrants, only to be denied.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/us/don-lemon-arrest-minnesota-church-protest.html



Statement from Don Lemon’s attorney:

MeidasTouch (@meidastouch.com) 2026-01-30T13:20:48.919Z
25 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Federal Agents Arrest Don Lemon Over Minnesota Church Protest (Original Post) demmiblue Yesterday OP
The regime continues its attacks on the Bill of Rights. sinkingfeeling Yesterday #1
Full on assault. NHvet 23 hrs ago #15
If I understand this right, this is unlawful seizure, tantamount to kidnapping. MLWR Yesterday #2
How can you arrest someone choie Yesterday #3
Because in Trump's eyes he's guilty! Ray Bruns Yesterday #5
Because King tRump said so. groundloop Yesterday #6
Until the judges start ordering their arrest, nothing will change travelingthrulife Yesterday #7
Minneapolis local independent journalist Georgia Fort was also reportedly arrested by the Feds: demmiblue Yesterday #4
Okay, now I want to see the church call for his release hamsterjill Yesterday #8
But you're not this kind of Christian!! ❤️ littlemissmartypants Yesterday #10
No. I sure hope that I am NEVER that kind of Christian. hamsterjill 18 hrs ago #23
They are now arresting reporters for doing their jobs. Can you say dictatorship? Ferrets are Cool Yesterday #9
Fully weaponized DoJ targeting citizens MaineBlueBear Yesterday #11
He'll be released and charges dropped Figarosmom Yesterday #12
How about taking that piece-of-human-garbage who lives in the Whitehouse? chouchou Yesterday #13
Apparently, peaceof$hit hasn't committed enough crimes yet. Justice matters. 21 hrs ago #17
Wouldn't surprise me if those files are in Trump's stinking bathroom in Mira Lago or... chouchou 19 hrs ago #22
Seems to me that if a journalist/reporter isn't in danger of getting arrested heckles65 23 hrs ago #14
Was he wearing a hoodie? twodogsbarking 22 hrs ago #16
I would like to see his lawyer send a CEASE and DESIST order to BONDI and bluestarone 21 hrs ago #18
It is a travesty that Don Lemon was jailed instead of Trump. SunSeeker 20 hrs ago #19
Is this the same court system (issuing arrest warrants) that ICE refuses to acknowledge in other proceedings? Hassin Bin Sober 20 hrs ago #20
Here is a PDF of Lowell's statement LetMyPeopleVote 20 hrs ago #21
Crosses are being erected and will be burned at midnight. twodogsbarking 17 hrs ago #24
More from the Hitler-Putin playbook mdbl 17 hrs ago #25

NHvet

(291 posts)
15. Full on assault.
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 11:32 AM
23 hrs ago

The fourth estate has been a bedrock of country. What we won't protect, will surely perish

. "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press".

choie

(6,771 posts)
3. How can you arrest someone
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 08:37 AM
Yesterday

if judges denied their request for warrants, including a federal appeal judge? WHAT THE FUCK?

travelingthrulife

(4,743 posts)
7. Until the judges start ordering their arrest, nothing will change
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 09:09 AM
Yesterday

Clearly harassment since all of the others were released as well.

demmiblue

(39,399 posts)
4. Minneapolis local independent journalist Georgia Fort was also reportedly arrested by the Feds:
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 08:44 AM
Yesterday

Minneapolis local independent journalist Georgia Fort was also reportedly arrested by the Feds:

Leah McElrath (@leahmcelrath.bsky.social) 2026-01-30T13:38:11.194Z

hamsterjill

(17,141 posts)
8. Okay, now I want to see the church call for his release
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 09:20 AM
Yesterday

Because that’s what they should do. They won’t; but they should.

Full disclosure: I’m a Christian.

littlemissmartypants

(32,449 posts)
10. But you're not this kind of Christian!! ❤️
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 09:45 AM
Yesterday


https://democraticunderground.com/100220620528
We are currently under assault by Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalists take everything by force. They are laser focused. This is the goal of the regime.

Here's an expert take on the topic:

The Violent Take it By Force by Matthew D. Taylor with The Freedom From Religion Foundation. Interview ~ 30"

hamsterjill

(17,141 posts)
23. No. I sure hope that I am NEVER that kind of Christian.
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 04:48 PM
18 hrs ago

I'm not one to force anyone else to believe as I do. I don't have a need for control like the evangelicals all seem to have. To me, when someone tries to force religion on someone else - ANY religion - the very first reaction is to resist. Why wouldn't it be?

In my thinking, we are each on our own path and must each find our own way. That's the journey; that's life. Each person's idea of what their path should be is something that should be encouraged and respected as long as it doesn't diminish or harm someone else.

MaineBlueBear

(440 posts)
11. Fully weaponized DoJ targeting citizens
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 10:09 AM
Yesterday

The malfeasance is overwhelming and congressional Republicants are too weak to stop it.

Figarosmom

(10,213 posts)
12. He'll be released and charges dropped
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 10:12 AM
Yesterday

Just like all the other cases trump tried to force.

Lemon was reporting. Covered in tbe 1st Amendment snd atesst the courts still abide by that.

Justice matters.

(9,538 posts)
17. Apparently, peaceof$hit hasn't committed enough crimes yet.
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 01:04 PM
21 hrs ago

And where are the Epstein files (tm)?

chouchou

(2,898 posts)
22. Wouldn't surprise me if those files are in Trump's stinking bathroom in Mira Lago or...
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 03:45 PM
19 hrs ago

... the files have been placed on Voyager 17 which is probably on it's way to Saturn..

heckles65

(631 posts)
14. Seems to me that if a journalist/reporter isn't in danger of getting arrested
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 11:19 AM
23 hrs ago

he/she isn't doing their job.

bluestarone

(21,542 posts)
18. I would like to see his lawyer send a CEASE and DESIST order to BONDI and
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 01:39 PM
21 hrs ago

the FBI! With lawsuit very possible!

Hassin Bin Sober

(27,415 posts)
20. Is this the same court system (issuing arrest warrants) that ICE refuses to acknowledge in other proceedings?
Fri Jan 30, 2026, 02:32 PM
20 hrs ago

The courts, grand juries, and regular juries need to boycott any help for ICE/FBI

Refuse to issue any warrants while they completely ignore the law in every other proceeding

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