US EditionTrump says Don Lemon’s arrest is ‘the best thing that could have happened to him’
Don Lemon faces federal civil rights charges for allegedly hampering worshippers’ First Amendment rights during a St. Paul church protest, authorities said.
- On Thursday, federal authorities arrested Don Lemon, ex-CNN host and independent journalist, in connection with his coverage of a Jan. 18 protest at Cities Church, St. Paul, Minn.
- Georgia Fort, reporter who covered the Jan. 18 protest, said she was also arrested early on Friday, while Nicole Carr cited White House social media posts celebrating the arrest shortly after it occurred.
- Speaking with reporters on Air Force One late Saturday, Trump said Lemon's arrest was `the best thing that could happen to him` and denied prior knowledge, calling him a `sleazebag`.
- Following his release, Lemon vowed to continue reporting as media groups called the arrests 'extremely alarming' and Blackwell defended him on CNN Sunday.
- Advocates emphasize the importance of a free and independent media as Abbe Lowell criticizes the administration's focus on the arrest, which is scheduled for Feb. 9 in Minneapolis.
54 Articles
54 Articles
McFeely: Arrests of reporters in Twin Cities ‘a war on journalism’
FARGO — Fargo attorney Bruce Quick isn’t so sure journalists calling foul on the arrest of two reporters over their coverage of a protest in a St. Paul church have it exactly right. Although he does say, firmly, the federal arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were “weaponizing the Justice Department against all of the president’s detractors.” “There’s no doubt in my mind about that,” Quick said. Hamline University’s David Schultz, a professor …
Journalist Don Lemon charged with federal civil rights crimes after covering anti-ICE church protest
Journalist Don Lemon, talks to the media after a hearing at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) By Jaime Ding, Alanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Journalist Don Lemon was released from custody Friday after he was arrested and hit with federal civil rights charges over his coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a se…
Free Speech Unmuted: Can Journalists Be Charged for Involvement in Protests? The Don Lemon Dilemma
Jane and I, joined by press freedom advocate Seth Stern to dissect the federal prosecution of journalist Don Lemon, discuss whether covering—and allegedly accompanying—a disruptive protest inside a church can make a journalist liable for criminal conspiracy under federal laws that ban disruption of worship services. You can also see our past episodes: 2025: The Year In Free Speech Does the First Amendment Protect Supposedly "Addictive" Algorith…
When life hands Trump the Epstein files, he makes lemonade
On Jan. 29, secret federal police (“Homeland Security Investigations”) arrested journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort for covering, and activists Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy for planning and organizing, a protest at a St. Paul, Minnesota, church.
NBC San Diego
Don Lemon shares details of his arrest on 'Kimmel,' says DOJ wanted to 'embarrass' him
Journalist Don Lemon said Monday that he offered to turn himself in days before his arrest last week, but he was instead detained by federal agents in order to “embarrass” him. Lemon appeared as the headlining guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Monday night and talked through the night of his arrest at a Beverly Hills hotel he used as a base during his coverage of the run-up to Sunday’s Grammy Awards. Lemon, an independent journalist who is a former a…
Democrats Who Condemned Lemon’s Arrest Silent on the Invasion of Cities Church
Democrats loudly condemned the arrest of former CNN host Don Lemon on Friday, but they have not condemned the invasion of a Minnesota church in the middle of a service—the incident for which Lemon faces charges. Lemon, now an independent journalist, has claimed that he covered the invasion of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Jan. 18 as a journalist, and therefore is protected by the First Amendment guarenteeing freedom of the press. Demo…
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