Photo: Getty Images
Journalist Don Lemon was charged with 18 USC 248, conspiracy to deprive rights, and 18 USC 248, violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, in connection with an incident in which anti-ICE protesters disrupted a church service in St. Paul earlier this month, NewsNation reports.
The Department of Justice's website states that 18 USC 241, Conspiracy to Deprive Rights, makes it illegal for “two or more persons to agree to injure, threaten, or intimidate a person in the United States in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States." Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the charges and said more details would be shared soon in a post shared on her X account.
Lemon's attorney, Abbe Lowell, confirmed in a statement shared on his behalf.
"Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards," Lowell said. "Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work.
"Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case. This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court."
Earlier this month, a federal magistrate judge denied the United States Department of Justice's attempt to charge Lemon in connection with the incident. Bondi was present in Minnesota for two days meeting with federal Minnesota prosecutors in a failed effort to bring charges against Lemon on January 22.
“The Attorney General is enraged at the magistrate judge’s decision,” a person familiar with the matter said, while CNN acknowledged that the Justice Department could try again to bring charges against him.
Lemon, who was fired by CNN in 2023 and now works as an independent journalist, was with dozens of anti-ICE protesters when they rushed into Cities Church on Sunday (January 18) during a service, which resulted in tense confrontations. The 59-year-old claimed that he wasn't there as a protester, rather as a journalist reporting on the incident.
“I’m just here photographing, I’m not part of the group… I’m a journalist," Lemon said in a video shared on his YouTube account.
Two other people were arrested by the Justice Department for their involvement in the protests, CNN reported.