Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested Thursday night by federal agents in Los Angeles, according to reporting by The New York Times. The arrest stems from an incident connected to an anti–Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest at Cities Church in Minneapolis on January 18, where authorities allege that Lemon violated a federal law related to impeding people’s right to worship. The U.S. Department of Justice said the arrest followed directives from Attorney General Pam Bondi and involved several individuals in what officials described as a coordinated action at the church. Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, publicly criticized the arrest, characterizing it as politically motivated and stating that Lemon had been present in his capacity as a journalist documenting the demonstration and exercising constitutionally protected press activity.
Who Is Don Lemon: From Local Newsrooms to a Prominent CNN Anchor
Don Renaldo Lemon-Clark, born on March 1, 1966, is an American television journalist with decades of experience in broadcast news. He began his career anchoring weekend news programs at local television stations in Alabama and Pennsylvania, building early credibility in regional journalism. Lemon later joined NBC as a news correspondent, contributing to major programs including Today and NBC Nightly News. His work during this period helped establish him as a familiar face in national news coverage, particularly for his reporting on high-profile stories.
Lemon joined CNN in 2006 as a correspondent and rose to prominence as the host of Don Lemon Tonight, a prime-time program he led from 2014 to 2022. His tenure included coverage of major national events and discussions that positioned him as a recognizable voice in cable news. Over the years, Lemon received notable professional recognition, including an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2002 for his coverage of the Washington, D.C. sniper case, as well as three regional Emmy Awards for reporting projects in Chicago. These honors were credited by awarding organizations for journalistic excellence and storytelling.
In his later years at CNN, Lemon served as a co-host of CNN This Morning alongside Kaitlan Collins and Poppy Harlow, expanding his role into a morning news format. His departure from CNN in April 2023 followed internal reviews and reports of workplace issues, which the network addressed publicly at the time. Since leaving CNN, Lemon has remained a recognizable public figure due to his long career in broadcast journalism and continued engagement with current events.