Share and Follow
In a noteworthy development, former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who was apprehended by federal agents in Los Angeles, was released the following day. On Friday, he passionately defended his journalistic endeavors, asserting his unwavering commitment to continue reporting.
U.S. District Judge Patricia Donahue granted Lemon’s release without requiring bail, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The charges against Lemon stemmed from allegations of disturbing worshippers at a Minnesota church, purportedly infringing upon their First Amendment rights to religious practice.
Speaking outside the Los Angeles courthouse, Lemon expressed gratitude toward his supporters and stood firm in the defense of his career.
“I will not stop now. I will not stop ever,” Lemon declared. “In fact, there is no more important time than this very moment for a free and independent media that illuminates the truth and holds those in power accountable.”
Lemon contended that the Department of Justice (DOJ) dispatched federal officers to arrest him for activities that have defined his 30-year career in journalism—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.”