Former television journalist Don Lemon has been charged with federal civil rights violations connected to a protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota, according to an announcement Friday from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Lemon was taken into custody Thursday in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney Abbe Lowell confirmed. He was expected to appear in federal court in California later Friday as part of the initial proceedings.
Prosecutors allege that Lemon participated in a coordinated protest on Jan. 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul that interfered with the ability of congregants to worship freely. An unsealed indictment charges Lemon and several others with conspiracy and with violating federal statutes that protect religious freedom and civil rights. Authorities say the demonstration disrupted a worship service at the church, whose pastor also works as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official.
According to court documents, Lemon and his co-defendants are accused of actions that intimidated or interfered with clergy, staff, and church members during the service. In addition to Lemon, another journalist and two protest participants were arrested in Minnesota in connection with the incident.
Lemon, who departed CNN in 2023, has denied the allegations and said he was present in a professional capacity to document the protest. His attorney said Lemon’s work was consistent with his long career in journalism and protected under the First Amendment.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests, stating that federal authorities acted in response to what they describe as unlawful interference with a place of worship. The case is ongoing, and no trial date has yet been announced