Don Lemon was taken into federal custody in Los Angeles on Thursday night, an arrest connected to a protest that took place weeks earlier at a Minnesota church. The former CNN anchor, who has continued working as a journalist and media figure, was in California for a major entertainment event when federal agents acted. According to reporting by The New York Times, the arrest stems from Lemon’s alleged involvement in an anti–Immigration and Customs Enforcement demonstration held on January 18 at Cities Church in Minneapolis.
When Was Don Lemon Arrested by Federal Agents?
The arrest occurred late Thursday evening in Los Angeles, where Lemon had traveled to cover Grammy-related events. He attended the 2026 Recording Academy Honors earlier that same night, placing him in the city for professional reasons unrelated to the Minnesota incident. Federal authorities detained him shortly after, formally linking the arrest to the January church protest rather than to any activity in California.
According to the New York Times, Lemon was charged with violating a federal statute that prohibits interference with individuals’ right to worship. The charge relates to an anti-ICE protest at Cities Church that involved an estimated 30 to 40 participants. The demonstration aimed to confront the church’s pastor, David Easterwood, who was identified as a Minneapolis ICE official. Reports indicate that Easterwood was not present at the church at the time the protest unfolded, and the event escalated without direct contact with him.
Why Authorities Say the Arrest Was Connected to the Cities Church Protest
In a public statement released Friday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the arrests were carried out at her direction and involved Don Lemon and three other individuals, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy. The statement described the case as related to what federal authorities characterized as a coordinated action targeting Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, issued a response condemning the arrest and describing it as an unnecessary diversion. Lowell said Lemon had been present in his capacity as a journalist and was exercising his First Amendment rights by documenting the demonstration. The attorney also said Lemon’s reporting role focused on accountability and public awareness.
Court records previously cited by federal authorities show that prosecutors sought to bring charges against eight individuals following the demonstration. However, a magistrate judge approved charges against only three people, excluding Lemon, and a federal appeals court later declined the Justice Department’s request to issue additional warrants.
