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Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested by federal authorities in connection with a protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota earlier this month, according to statements from his attorney and multiple media reports.
Lemon, 59, was taken into custody late Thursday night in Los Angeles, where he had been covering Grammy-related events. His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said the arrest stems from Lemon's presence at an anti-ICE protest held on January 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
According to reports from The New York Times and CBS News, Lemon has been charged with violating a federal law related to interfering with individuals' right to worship. Demonstrators at the protest entered the church during a service, allegedly targeting the location after learning that one of the pastors was associated with ICE.
Lowell said Lemon was attending the protest in his capacity as a journalist and strongly criticized the Justice Department's decision to pursue charges. "Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done," Lowell said, adding that "the First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable."
She further argued that the arrest was politically motivated, saying federal authorities were focusing on Lemon rather than investigating the killing of two protesters during related demonstrations in Minnesota. "This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand," Lowell said, confirming Lemon intends to challenge the charges in court.
The arrest follows a complicated legal process. Earlier this month, a federal magistrate judge declined to approve arrest warrants for several individuals connected to the protest, including Lemon. A federal appeals court later rejected a Justice Department request to compel approval of additional warrants. Ultimately, only three demonstrators were initially charged.
Despite those rulings, federal agents proceeded with Lemon's arrest. Sources told CBS News that a grand jury had been empanelled, and both the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations were involved.
The case has drawn reactions from journalists and politicians. Lemon's former CNN colleague Jim Acosta called the arrest "outrageous," writing on social media that "the First Amendment is under attack in America." President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Lemon, commented on the incident during a White House briefing, calling Lemon a "loser" and condemning the protest inside the church.
The Department of Justice has not yet publicly commented on the arrest. As of Friday, Lemon was reported to remain in federal custody while legal proceedings move forward.
