DOJ Drops the Hammer on DON LEMON Over Church Attack!

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Don Lemon was arrested by federal authorities in connection with an anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2026. The Justice Department charged Lemon and three others—Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy—with federal civil rights crimes, including conspiracy and interfering with the religious rights of worshippers under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

The DOJ alleges that Lemon, formerly of CNN and now an independent journalist, was not merely covering the protest but actively participating in what Attorney General Pam Bondi described as a “coordinated attack” on the church. Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, stated Lemon was “on notice” that the First Amendment does not protect what she called his “pseudo journalism” in disrupting a religious service.

Lemon and his legal team deny wrongdoing, with attorney Abbe Lowell calling the arrest an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment” and a distraction from the Trump administration’s broader controversies, including the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good that sparked the protests. A federal magistrate judge had previously rejected charges against Lemon, citing lack of evidence.

The case has ignited national debate, with CNN, First Amendment advocates, and Democratic leaders condemning the arrest as a threat to press freedom. The White House, meanwhile, celebrated the arrest on social media with a post reading, “When life gives you Lemons,” accompanied by a chain emoji. Lemon was released without bond and is expected to fight the charges in court.

Independent journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents on January 30, 2026, in connection with a protest at

Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Department of Justice (DOJ), under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has charged Lemon and several others following what officials described as a “takeover-style attack” on the house of worship.

The core details of the case include:

The Charges: Lemon faces federal charges including conspiracy to deprive rights and interference with the exercise of religious freedom under the FACE Act. The most serious charge carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
The Incident: On January 18, 2026, anti-ICE protesters entered the church to disrupt a service led by a pastor who also serves as a federal immigration official. The DOJ alleges Lemon was part of the conspiracy, citing 29 “overt acts” including maintaining “operational secrecy” and physically obstructing congregants.
The Arrest: Lemon was taken into custody at a hotel in Beverly Hills while covering the Grammy Awards. He was released on his own recognizance after an initial court appearance on January 30.
Lemon’s Defense: Lemon maintains he was present strictly as a journalist covering the protest. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, called the arrest an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment”.
Political Reaction: The White House social media account appeared to mock the arrest, while critics, including Al Sharpton and various journalism advocacy groups, have condemned the move as an attempt to criminalize reporting.

Specific list of co-defendants or more details on the FACE Act being used in this case?

Here is the breakdown of the federal case involving Don Lemon and the nine total defendants charged in connection with the protest at

Cities Church in St. Paul.

List of Co-Defendants

The Department of Justice has indicted nine individuals, ranging from journalists to local political figures.

Name	Role / Title
Don Lemon	Former CNN anchor; independent journalist
Georgia Ellyse Fort	Independent journalist; VP of NABJ Minneapolis
Nekima Levy Armstrong	Civil rights attorney; former Twin Cities NAACP president
Chauntyll Louisa Allen	St. Paul School Board member; activist
Trahern Jeen Crews	Co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota
Jamael Lydell Lundy	Small-business owner; MN Senate candidate
William Scott Kelly	Local activist
Ian Davis Austin	Defendant named in recent federal updates
Jerome D. Richardson	Defendant named in recent federal updates

Details on the FACE Act Charges

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act (18 U.S.C. § 248) was passed in 1994 primarily to protect abortion clinics, but it also contains a provision specifically protecting houses of worship.

Statutory Violation: The DOJ alleges the group violated the act by using “physical obstruction” to intentionally interfere with people seeking to exercise their religious freedom.
The Allegations: Prosecutors claim the defendants entered the church in a “takeover-style attack,” blocked stairwells preventing parents from reaching children in childcare, and “peppered” the pastor with questions while obstructing his movement.
Controversy: Critics and the defense argue the act is being weaponized against journalists. Harmeet Dhillon, the DOJ’s civil rights chief, acknowledged that using the “houses of worship” provision of the FACE Act to prosecute protesters in this manner has little historical precedent.
Penalties: A first-time FACE Act violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison. However, the defendants also face a much more serious charge of Conspiracy to Deprive Rights (18 U.S.C. § 241), which carries up to 10 years in prison.

For legal advice, consult a professional.

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