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In a recent twist, former CNN anchor Don Lemon found himself at the center of controversy, yet remained steadfast in his commitment to journalism. After being detained by federal officers in Los Angeles, Lemon was released the next day, maintaining his stance on the importance of a free press.
The incident stemmed from allegations that Lemon had disrupted a religious service in Minnesota, infringing upon the congregation’s First Amendment right to worship peacefully. However, U.S. District Judge Patricia Donahue ruled for his release without bail, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite the legal proceedings, Lemon emerged from a Los Angeles courthouse resolute, expressing gratitude to his supporters and reaffirming his dedication to his profession. “I will not stop now. I will not stop ever,” he declared firmly. “Now, more than ever, we need a free and independent media that illuminates the truth and holds those in power to account.”
Lemon emphasized that his arrest was linked to his longstanding career of over three decades in journalism, suggesting that his work as a news reporter was being unfairly scrutinized by the Department of Justice (DOJ). “For the last 30 years, I’ve been doing what I do best—covering the news,” Lemon stated, underscoring his resolve to continue his journalistic endeavors despite the challenges.
Lemon said the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent federal officers to arrest him “for something I’ve been doing for the last 30 years, and that is covering the news.”
“The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless other journalists who do what I do,” he continued. “I stand with all of them and I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court.”
U.S. Attorney Alexander Robbins accused Lemon, during his court appearance, of joining a “mob that terrorized people in a place of worship,” The Hollywood Reporter wrote. Lemon is prohibited from speaking to any witnesses, victims or defendants in the case and must ask permission to leave the country.
The Trump administration sought to charge the independent journalist and seven others in connection with a protest at a St. Paul church where the pastor, David Easterwood, was believed by protesters to be the head of Minnesota field office for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday claimed Lemon was arrested in connection with “a coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.” Though some administration officials claimed a federal grand jury indicted Lemon, such an indictment has not been unsealed.
Lemon was previously a prime-time host on CNN for several years before he was fired from the network in 2023. He now hosts “The Don Lemon Show” on YouTube and Substack as an independent reporter.
The journalist received support from current and former officials following his arrest. Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Lemon’s arrest “is another affront to our rights and freedoms and should alarm and enrage us.”
“ICE is occupying communities and shooting Americans,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on the social platform X. “Now, former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested for covering what ICE is doing. Arresting journalists is what happens in tin-pot dictatorships. We must fight back against authoritarianism.”