Don Lemon Arrested: Former CNN Anchor Faces Federal Charges Over Church Protest

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles on Friday, January 30, 2026, in connection with an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church earlier this month. According to the unsealed grand jury indictment, Lemon and eight co-defendants face federal charges including conspiracy against religious freedom and violating the FACE Act. Prosecutors allege that Lemon was part of a "coordinated attack" on Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators disrupted a service to protest a pastor who also serves as an ICE official. While the Department of Justice argues Lemon knowingly joined a mob to intimidate congregants, Lemon and his legal team maintain he was acting strictly as an independent journalist documenting the event. This case is already sparking a massive debate over First Amendment rights and whether the government is targeting members of the press. In this video, we cover: The specific federal charges Lemon is facing. Footage and details from the St. Paul church incident. Statements from Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. What this means for the future of independent journalism.