Former CNN journalist Don Lemon has been arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest earlier this month.
A church service in St. Paul was interrupted by protestors earlier this month after it was revealed that David Easterwood, one of the congregation’s pastors, leads a local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.
Lemon entered the church and interviewed Easterwood, commenting that Americans have a First Amendment right to protest.
The incident drew scrutiny from conservatives, triggering a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest on social media, writing, “At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.”
The attorney general noted that there would be more details released soon.
Abbe Lowell, Don Lemon’s attorney, released a statement, denouncing the arrest as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment.”
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” Lowell commented. “The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”
Lowell suggested that the Trump administration has taken action against Lemon to divert attention to the recent shootings at the hands of ICE officers.
“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,” Lowell argued.
Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones (D-FL) has responded to the arrest, warning that it "should bring great concern to us all."
Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) also weighed in on the arrest, writing on X, "My thoughts and prayers go out to the inmates who have to share a jail cell with Don Lemon.
