Federal Agents Arrest Don Lemon
The former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested late Thursday night on charges that he violated federal law during a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minn., his lawyer said, in a case rejected last week by a magistrate judge.
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qcp
Joined 2007/07/05Visited 2026/01/30
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More: The protesters interrupted a service at the church, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor, and chanted "ICE out." Afterward, the Trump administration sought to charge eight people over the episode, including Mr. Lemon, citing a law that protects people seeking to participate in a service in a house of worship.
But the magistrate judge who reviewed the evidence approved charges against only three of the people, rejecting the evidence against Mr. Lemon and the others as insufficient. The Justice Department then petitioned a federal appeals court to force the judge to issue the additional warrants, only to be denied.
Abbe Lowell, a lawyer for Mr. Lemon, vowed to fight the charges.
"Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards," Mr. Lowell said in a statement on Friday. "Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done."
Mr. Lowell added, "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."
#1 | Posted by qcp at 2026-01-30 08:48 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1
November is coming up and Donald is feeling the screws.
He has a lot of people he wants and needs to arrest.
An awful lot.
There's a List.
#2 | Posted by Zed at 2026-01-30 09:00 AM | Reply
Don Lemon is in heaven right now. LOL!
#3 | Posted by fortfisher at 2026-01-30 09:07 AM | Reply
via GIPHY
#4 | Posted by fortfisher at 2026-01-30 09:12 AM | Reply
So in about a month we'll be reading articles about yet another failure of DoJ to secure and indictment?
#5 | Posted by jpw at 2026-01-30 09:20 AM | Reply
Adam Parkhomenko @adamparkhomenko.bsky.social 4m So this administration has charged an independent Black journalist reporting in Minnesota but not two white agents who murdered two citizens
This is so typical for the racist-------------------.
#6 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-01-30 09:37 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1
#5 | Posted by jpw a
Or someone filing Habeas to find out where in the hell Lemon is?
#7 | Posted by Zed at 2026-01-30 09:40 AM | Reply
There is no legal basis (based on what's required by the cited law - use of force or threatening force) for this to proceed. It is, however, a required step in creating a fascist regime. Two journalists were arrested, plus a third one a week or so agom(WaPo). This is a pattern.
Expect a press conference later from the Trump admin crowing about this and threatening other journalists, indirectly, to watch their step. This corrupt administration has already created a fascist-friendly press pool to cover it. This admin has already threatened broadcaster's licenses.
#8 | Posted by YAV at 2026-01-30 09:51 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1
The article never once mentions them actually securing an indictment against Lemon.
#9 | Posted by qcp at 2026-01-30 09:52 AM | Reply
required step in creating entrenching and strengthening a fascist regime
#10 | Posted by YAV at 2026-01-30 09:52 AM | Reply
The article never once mentions them actually securing an indictment against Lemon. Excellent point. is this just state sponsored intimidation with no basis, implemented by a lawless regime? The same lawless regime that seized voting records in GA that are sealed by a judge's order?
I have no idea how he is legally being held in jail, but he's in jail along with another journalist that was also at this protest.
RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES.
#11 | Posted by YAV at 2026-01-30 09:57 AM | Reply
The Federal Judge basically directed prosecutors to seek a grand jury indictment.
A source familiar with the matter said a grand jury was empaneled Thursday. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, a law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security, were involved in the arrest, sources say. www.cbsnews.com
#12 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-01-30 10:13 AM | Reply
He should be in jail, he materially supported the protestors. Not sure, but just having popularity and a camera doesn't make you a journalist.
There's no first amendment right to plan and break up a religious ceremony. Otherwise you give MAGAts the ability to break up Muslim prayer.
"Oh but I am a journalist ... " ... BS.
Do you guys even think about ramifications?
#13 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-01-30 10:16 AM | Reply | Funny: 1
Runt, your child-raping hero has 34 felony convictions.
#14 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-01-30 10:18 AM | Reply
The free speech bros must be so angry! Unless the free speech bros were lying and only ever cared about themselves
#15 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2026-01-30 10:26 AM | Reply
#13 | Posted by oneironaut
"He should be in jail, he materially supported the protestors."
Tell us how.
"Not sure, but just having popularity and a camera doesn't make you a journalist."
Unless you want to break into daycares and film children, right?
#16 | Posted by Sycophant at 2026-01-30 10:31 AM | Reply
#13
It's trespassing. Trump likes a circus.
Did John Miller become an Al Qaeda member when he interviewed bin Laden in a cave in 1998?
No. Don Lemon did the same thing Miller did. He committed an act of journalism.
Do you guys ever think about precedent? History?
As Confucius said: "Soggy rice no taste nice!"
#17 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2026-01-30 10:35 AM | Reply
Remember those who used to tell you about a group of villains protecting powerful pedophiles and trying to take away American's freedoms, including their right to bear arms? Well, THEY are the ones who today are protecting powerful pedophiles and trying to take away American's freedoms including their right to bear arms. - Pedro X Molina
Well, THEY are the ones who today are protecting powerful pedophiles and trying to take away American's freedoms including their right to bear arms.
- Pedro X Molina
#18 | Posted by YAV at 2026-01-30 10:44 AM | Reply
So-called journalists entered the Capitol on J6.
#19 | Posted by Petrous at 2026-01-30 10:44 AM | Reply
About as often as you meditate on what a dripping piece of green snot you are.
#20 | Posted by Zed at 2026-01-30 11:37 AM | Reply
Free speech isn't a get out of jail free card. If so-called journalists violate, say, the FACE Act they are still potentially liable to be prosecuted and hiding behind their journalist label won't protect them from being charged. Now, in trial if the defense can make a plausible case that he was acting in the role of journalist he probably won't be convicted.
#21 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-30 11:37 AM | Reply
" So-called journalists entered the Capitol on J6.
#19 | POSTED BY PETROUS AT 2026-01-30 10:44 AM | FLAG: "
Bears repeating.
#22 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-30 11:38 AM | Reply
" Did John Miller become an Al Qaeda member when he interviewed bin Laden in a cave in 1998?
No. Don Lemon did the same thing Miller did. He committed an act of journalism."
That's an apples/pumpkins comparison.
#23 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-30 11:39 AM | Reply
" Unless you want to break into daycares and film children, right?
#16 | POSTED BY SYCOPHANT AT 2026-01-30 10:31 AM | REPLY | FLAG"
You sure do suck at equivalencies.
#24 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-30 11:40 AM | Reply
Free speech isn't a get out of jail free card.
#21 | Posted by BellRinger
Well, of course---You support Lemon's arrest. Even though he has already been cut legally loose.
Free speech is threatened by people like you.
#25 | Posted by Zed at 2026-01-30 11:44 AM | Reply
Yav,
Question: do you regard James O'Keefe and Nick Shirley as journalists?
#26 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-30 11:47 AM | Reply
" Well, of course---You support Lemon's arrest. Even though he has already been cut legally loose."
By a lower court. The DOJ either got a grand jury indictment (unlikely) or some other higher level judge to issue a probable cause warrant. The fact that he was arrested at night (probably resulting in an overnight in the clink) and publicly is spiteful as hell and right out of the Biden DOJ handbook. Presumably we will find out today how they obtained an arrest warrant.
#27 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-30 11:56 AM | Reply
Presumably we will find out today how they obtained an arrest warrant.
#27 | Posted by BellRinger
Yeah, well....
Keep on presuming. It's what you're good at.
#28 | Posted by Zed at 2026-01-30 12:00 PM | Reply
" Keep on presuming. It's what you're good at.
#28 | POSTED BY ZED AT 2026-01-30 12:00 PM | FLAG: "
Lemon is being represented by Abbe Lowell, a very well known counselor. In the absence of a grand jury indictment or a probable cause warrant, this arrest would BL blasted into the stratosphere already.
#29 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-01-30 12:11 PM | Reply
the FACE Act As I said in #8, Lemon didn't violate the FACE Act.
Question: do you regard James O'Keefe and Nick Shirley as journalists? Lemon has a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
Jame O'Keefe does not. He has a degree in philosophy. He went to law school for a year and dropped out. Nick Shirley (who I know nothing about) appears to have no degree in journalism. He has no degree at all, except from high school.
I do not consider either O'Keefe or Shirley, nor have I ever considered O'Keefe, journalists.
There is no doubt Don Lemon is a journalist.
Why do you ask?
#30 | Posted by YAV at 2026-01-30 12:39 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1
Remember when Trump called the free press the Enemy Of The State? Here we are.
Congratulations, Republicans. You Built That!
#31 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-01-30 12:47 PM | Reply
#29 | Posted by BellRinger
Everything flies completely over your head.
The only one who thinks Donald Trump wants to or will follow the law is you.
Don Lemon is another martyr for freedom. Thank God he's not dead yet.
#32 | Posted by Zed at 2026-01-30 12:47 PM | Reply
The fact that he was arrested at night (probably resulting in an overnight in the clink) and publicly is spiteful as hell and right out of the Biden DOJ handbook. #27 | Posted by BellRinger
You're saying President Biden invented arresting people in public after sundown. You're actually saying that.
Biden invented Sundown Towns. That's what you believe.
#33 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-01-30 12:53 PM | Reply
If the past is prologue then presumably it was along the lines of: "Issue an arrest warrant immediately or find another job."
#34 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-01-30 01:01 PM | Reply
"it is a lesson for the IRS not to be weaponized"
Because only the Mad King is allowed to do that?
Trumpy plans to make it easier for the IRS Criminal Investigation division to launch inquiries into left-leaning organizations and Democratic donors, with a specific list of potential targets including billionaire George Soros.
Trumpy has pursued a plan to share sensitive tax data, specifically the addresses of around 700,000 undocumented immigrants, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for potential deportation purposes.
The Trumpy administration has also reportedly threatened the tax-exempt status of institutions like Harvard University, an action critics argue is an attempt to use the IRS to punish perceived political enemies. The more you know ...
#35 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-01-30 01:08 PM | Reply
That poster is, as all MAGATs, Perpetual Victims, even is its solely from their own fevered imaginations. Without feeling persecuted, their lives would have no meaning.
#36 | Posted by YAV at 2026-01-30 01:13 PM | Reply
#35 - as always - accuse the Democrats of what you are planning.
#37 | Posted by YAV at 2026-01-30 01:14 PM | Reply
Arrested for what?
Reporting on group of people protesting a Nazi pastor?
Republicans have fully embraced authoritarianism.
All so a fat orange pedophile can loot America and avoid the consequences of his actions.
Don Lemon is guilty of being Black in America.
#38 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-01-30 01:29 PM | Reply
Politics is rough.
After everything Trump has faced, it's no surprise he'd push back when he can. My view is political, not personal loyalty.
Don Lemon says he was just reporting, but when a journalist moves into opinion and apparent protest involvement inside a church, it weakens his defense. Prosecutors argue that FACE laws were violated.
That's Lemon's mistake.
#39 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2026-01-30 01:33 PM | Reply
My view is political, not personal loyalty. #39 | POSTED BY BULLJOHNSON
When you post obvious lies like this, do you actually believe you're fooling anyone int believing you?
Go wipe Trump's ------ off your chin, whore.
#40 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-01-30 01:35 PM | Reply
Clown,
"When you post obvious lies like this, do you actually believe you're fooling anyone int believing you?"
You live in a culture of lies.
Its no wonder thats the first thing you'd think.
#41 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2026-01-30 01:48 PM | Reply
"You live in a culture of lies."
Don't we all? Fox News sued and won for their Right To Lie.
Your culture is vague, unsubstantiated, baseless accusations. In Jesus Name, Amen.
#42 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-01-30 01:51 PM | Reply
www.youtube.com
#43 | Posted by eberly at 2026-01-30 01:55 PM | Reply
Snoofy,
As if you actually watch Fox.
You'd be surprised how often I hear real legitimate stories and news I don't hear elsewhere.
Then I watch as little of CNN and it's anti-Trump propaganda.
Keep telling yourself that.
#44 | Posted by BillJohnson at 2026-01-30 02:06 PM | Reply
"You'd be surprised how often I hear real legitimate stories and news I don't hear elsewhere"
Riiiiiiight.
And Haitians were eating domesticated animals.
#45 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-01-30 02:32 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1
"As if you actually watch Fox."
I don't watch TV "news" at all. Maybe some sports. Star Trek reruns. Whatever old western is on Grit.
"You'd be surprised how often I hear real legitimate stories and news I don't hear elsewhere."
No, I wouldn't. I get those posted on my Facebook feed from the scared old white men I know.
#46 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-01-30 03:19 PM | Reply
44
First step, admit you have a problem. Watching TV news. Just stop.
I quit watching TV news probably 20 years ago. I just can't stand some talking head preaching at me.
#47 | Posted by et_al at 2026-01-30 03:20 PM | Reply
It's adorable watching you all talk to BullJohnson like he's a reasonable human being and not just another braindead deplorable Trumping MAGA fascist.
#48 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-01-30 03:57 PM | Reply
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