Don Lemon Faces Charges Following Anti-ICE Protest Coverage

Mon Feb 02 2026 16:37:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former CNN host Don Lemon has been arrested and charged in connection with a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that disrupted a church service in Minnesota.

Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, has been charged after participating in an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church. He was arrested for allegedly violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances and Places of Religious Worship (FACE) Act. Lemon asserts the charges impede press freedom and affirms his commitment to independent journalism.

Former CNN host Don Lemon has appeared before a judge after being arrested for entering a Minnesota church and filming anti-immigration enforcement protesters as they disrupted a service.

After appearing in court, Lemon was released from custody. He told media outside that he was arrested for covering the news, adding: I will not be silenced. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said he was charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and violation of the FACE Act for allegedly interfering in someone's First Amendment rights.

Lemon entered the Cities Church in St. Paul on January 18 with protesters who claimed one of the pastors was an immigration enforcement official. The former anchor asserted that he was merely reporting on an important story.

The FACE Act, which Lemon has been accused of violating, typically targets interference with access to clinics and religious sites. His lawyer stated that Lemon would vigorously contest the charges, framing them as an unprecedented attack on press freedom. Federal agents arrested not only Lemon but also other participants in the protest, raising alarms over media rights and freedoms.

Amidst widespread protests in Minnesota triggered by recent immigration actions, Lemon's case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and press freedoms in America. The Justice Department's actions have sparked discussions around First Amendment rights and the role of journalists in covering sensitive issues.