What happened
Former CNN host Don Lemon was arrested early Friday by federal authorities in connection with a coordinated protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Officials say Lemon and three others were involved in a demonstration that targeted a pastor who allegedly worked for ICE. The arrest made headlines because Lemon livestreamed from the scene and has been a high profile media figure. Reporters captured his federal court appearance in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon where he was processed and then released.
The federal charges
Prosecutors charged Lemon under 18 U.S.C. 241, Conspiracy to Deprive Rights, and 18 U.S.C. 248, the FACE Act which addresses obstruction of access to religious institutions. Those are serious federal counts. Conspiracy to deprive civil rights carries heavy potential penalties when the government proves coordinated action to deny protected liberties. The FACE Act is aimed at protecting places of worship and their members from intimidation that blocks their ability to worship safely.
Court ruling and travel permission
At the Los Angeles hearing a federal judge released Lemon on a personal recognizance bond. That means no cash bail, but conditions and scheduled court dates still apply. According to reports, the judge allowed Lemon to travel to France in June. His next federal court appearance is set for February 9 in Minneapolis. His attorney Abbe Lowell framed Lemon’s actions as constitutionally protected speech and assembly, which will be the defense argument to watch.
Public record and media reaction
Coverage rolled out fast with social media and cable news sharing video from the protest and court. Here are some of the posts that circulated about the case and arrest.
The DOJ indictment v Don Lemon et al was just unsealed
12 pages
1/4 pic.twitter.com/tHUtyIttMf
— Jake Tapper 🦅 (@jaketapper) January 30, 2026
Don Lemon appears in Federal court in Los Angeles. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and will face no pretrial supervision. The judge required him to get permission for foreign travel, and allowed him to go on a trip to France in June. @cnn
— Jamie Gangel (@jamiegangel) January 30, 2026
#NEW: Former CNN anchor Don Lemon just made his first appearance in federal court in LA. He was released without bail and his next court appearance is at federal court here in Minneapolis on Feb 9th.
— Brooke Taylor (@Brooketaylortv) January 30, 2026
JUST IN: Don Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, releases statement after the former CNN host's arrest:
“Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he had been covering the Grammy Awards." pic.twitter.com/6ecpZ9QOSB
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 30, 2026
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
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