[UPDATE] Breaking Don Lemon Arrested along with journalist Georgia Fort

OMFG. I Cannot Believe I’m writing this.

UPDATE 1-30-2026 @ 10:17am

Federal agents arrested independent journalist Georgia Fort in connection with the same Cities Church protest case, alongside Don Lemon and two activists identified by DOJ as Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy.

If you’ve seen claims that “several more journalists” were arrested, I can only confirm Fort (in addition to Lemon) based on reporting and official statements I have available so far. And let me also take the opportunity to apologize for the gross copywriting errors in the first piece with regards to the timeline of the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Thanks for those who called me out on that.

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I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I want to be absolutely clear about what’s confirmed and what isn’t concerning Don Lemon’s arrest, right up front. (Yeah, that sentence alone still feels unreal to type.)

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents on the night of Thursday, January 29, 2026, in Los Angeles, where he was on assignment covering the upcoming Grammy Awards [1]. The arrest was carried out by a joint team of FBI agents and Homeland Security Investigations officers, according to multiple sources [2]. Authorities say Lemon’s arrest stems from his involvement in a January 18 incident at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, when a group of anti-ICE protesters disrupted a Sunday worship service [3].

Lemon had entered the church alongside the demonstrators and livestreamed the protest, which was organized upon learning that one of the church’s pastors also served as acting field director of the local ICE office [3]. During the demonstration, protesters interrupted the service with chants against immigration enforcement, and Lemon can be seen interviewing activists and churchgoers on video, insisting he was there “just … photographing” as a journalist, not as an active participant [4].

TLDR

• Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, while on assignment covering the upcoming Grammy Awards.[1][2][6]

• Authorities tie the arrest to the Jan. 18 incident at Cities Church in St. Paul, where anti-ICE protesters disrupted a Sunday service and Lemon livestreamed from inside, saying he was “just … photographing” as a journalist, not participating.[1][3][4]

• The church protest is now inseparable from the blood on the floor: two protesters, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed some weeks earlier intensifying scrutiny of federal force and the government’s next moves.[2][5][6]

• DOJ and court filings indicate prosecutors are framing this as interference with worship and civil rights, with references to FACE Act logic and related theories that could effectively redraw the line between reporting and “involvement.”[6][7][8]

• A federal magistrate judge reportedly refused to approve arrest warrants for Lemon and others, DOJ pushed for alternate legal paths, then a grand jury returned an indictment (details under seal) that enabled the arrest.[2][6][9][10][11]

• DOJ officials are publicly taking a hard line, while Lemon’s attorney Abbe Lowell calls this an unprecedented First Amendment attack and argues the government is prioritizing the journalist over accountability for the killings that triggered the outrage.[13][14][15][18][19][20]

If this helped you understand what’s happening, do the obvious: restack, restack, restack, and share for the algorithm (yes, Facebook too). If you’re still hovering over the paid button, step off the fence. I do this for a living, not as a hobby. In light of this arrest, a paid subscription makes a statement: you don’t get to chill independent journalism through fear and call it “order.”

Charges and Legal Basis

While formal charges had not been publicly announced at the time of the arrest, officials and court filings indicate that Lemon is expected to face federal civil rights charges related to the disruption of a religious service [6]. Specifically, the U.S. Justice Department alleges that Lemon and others “unlawfully interfer[ed] with the churchgoers’ constitutionally-protected freedom to practice religion” by entering private church property and interrupting the service [6]. This suggests prosecutors are invoking statutes such as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which also protects houses of worship from obstruction or intimidation [7]. Indeed, internal documents show authorities initially sought to charge Lemon under a federal law banning intentional obstruction of religious worship, as well as under a federal conspiracy law for allegedly coordinating with the protest organizers [8]. Lemon has maintained that his “only intention was to document a newsworthy event,” not to impede anyone’s rights [8].

It’s worth noting that the path to these charges has been unusual and contentious. Last week, a federal magistrate judge in Minnesota took the highly atypical step of refusing to approve arrest warrants for Lemon and four others connected to the protest, signaling doubt that Lemon’s acts of newsgathering constituted a crime [9] [9]. That decision reportedly “enraged” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi [9], a Trump administration appointee, and the Justice Department immediately explored alternative legal avenues. Prosecutors even asked a federal appellate panel to compel the lower court to sign the warrants over the civil rights charges, but the appeals court declined to intervene [10] [6]. Undeterred, the DOJ swiftly convened a grand jury this week; on Thursday it returned an indictment (details still under seal), enabling agents to finally arrest Lemon late that night [2]. Legal experts have characterized the DOJ’s theories as aggressive, Freedom of the Press Foundation’s advocacy director condemned it as a “far-fetched ‘gotcha’” effort to punish a journalist and “send a message” to others [11]. Lemon remained in federal custody as of Friday morning pending an initial court appearance [12].

Official Statements from DOJ and Law Enforcement

Justice Department officials have been outspoken in justifying Lemon’s arrest. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ Civil Rights Division, publicly rebuked Lemon’s actions, rejecting his claim of press freedom. “A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws!” Dhillon posted on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the Jan. 18 incident [13]. She argued that the First Amendment does “not protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service” and pointedly warned Lemon, “You are on notice!” [13]. Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed that stance, insisting that protesters (and by extension Lemon) had “no right to be on the church’s private property” and that by interrupting a worship service, they were impeding the congregants’ fundamental right to religious freedom [14]. Bondi’s Justice Department has signaled it views the church protest as a serious violation: “We’re going to pursue this to the ends of the Earth,” Dhillon vowed in a media appearance, underscoring the administration’s hard line [15].

So far, law enforcement agencies involved have provided few public comments beyond these statements on social media. The FBI’s Minneapolis field office referred inquiries to the Department of Justice, and an official DOJ press release had not yet been issued at the time of writing. CBS News reported that it reached out to DOJ for comment on Lemon’s arrest, but no response was immediately given [16] [17]. The absence of a formal statement likely reflects the politically charged nature of the case and the fact that the indictment is still sealed. However, the DOJ’s posture was made clear through its court filings and online remarks: in their view, Lemon crossed a legal line by allegedly acting in concert with activists to invade a sacred space, thereby infringing on others’ civil rights. Officials emphasize that freedom of the press “is not a license” to trespass or facilitate unlawful protests, especially in houses of worship, a point the DOJ may seek to prove in court in the coming days.

Statements from Don Lemon’s Legal Team

Don Lemon’s camp has forcefully denied any wrongdoing, framing his arrest as an attack on press freedom. Abbe Lowell, Lemon’s attorney, confirmed his client was apprehended by federal agents in Los Angeles and immediately blasted the Justice Department’s actions. “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” Lowell said in a statement [18]. He emphasized that Lemon was at the January 18 event in a reporting capacity, not as an instigator, and that “The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.” [18].

Lowell’s statement expressed outrage that authorities are targeting a reporter instead of examining their own conduct. He noted that two protesters were shot and killed by federal agents during the Minnesota protest, yet “instead of investigating the federal agents who killed [those] peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest” [19]. Calling Lemon’s prosecution “the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case,” the attorney accused the government of trying to distract from “the many crises facing this administration.” [19] Lowell characterized the arrest as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment,” vowing that Lemon “will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.” [19] He has urged the DOJ to drop the case, arguing that punishing a journalist for doing his job undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent [20]. As of Friday, Lemon’s legal team was working to secure his release and prepare for an initial court hearing, maintaining that any charges are meritless and will be aggressively challenged.

Don Lemon’s Response and Public Reaction

Don Lemon himself has not yet issued a new public statement post-arrest (he remains in custody at this time [12]), but his prior comments and the reactions of peers shed light on the brewing public debate. In the days following the church protest, Lemon publicly defended his actions as standard journalistic practice. “Once the protest started in the church, we did an act of journalism,” Lemon explained in a video message earlier this month, stressing that he “pointedly did not participate” in the demonstration beyond filming and interviewing those involved [21] [22]. “It’s called journalism. First Amendment. All that stuff,” he quipped, pushing back on the idea that he “stormed” the church as an activist [22]. Lemon also responded directly to AAG Dhillon’s social media broadside, saying he had “no affiliation” with the protest organizers and even thanking the DOJ for its “attention” in a tone of ironic defiance [23] [24]. “Thank you for your attention to this matter,” the veteran journalist said wryly, asserting that critics in the Justice Department were “losing their mind over something that’s not even true.” [25]

Meanwhile, public reaction among journalists and free-press advocates has been swift and fierce. Many see Lemon’s arrest as a politically motivated attempt to intimidate the media. “This is outrageous and cannot stand. The First Amendment is under attack in America!” wrote CNN correspondent Jim Acosta in a viral post on X, voicing the sense of alarm in press circles [26]. The Freedom of the Press Foundation likewise condemned the prosecution, describing it as “the latest example of the administration coming up with far-fetched ‘gotcha’ legal theories” to warn journalists against aggressive reporting [11]. Advocacy groups note that Lemon’s livestream was evidence of him reporting the event, not coordinating it, and fear that charging him sets a dangerous precedent where reporters at protests could be treated as co-conspirators.

On the other hand, supporters of the DOJ’s move (including some conservative commentators) argue that no one, not even a journalist, is above the law if they knowingly aid in the disruption of a religious service. This divide has only heightened the case’s profile. Former President Donald Trump, whose administration is pursuing these charges, has personally weighed in, deriding Lemon as a “loser, lightweight” and applauding authorities’ response. “I saw him, the way he walked in that church, it was terrible,” Trump remarked in a recent briefing, praising the pastor’s composure and calling the protest “horrible.” [27] Such comments underscore the highly charged political backdrop against which this saga is unfolding. Public opinion remains split, but the consensus among journalism organizations is that this arrest represents an extraordinary confrontation between the government and the press.

Background: Don Lemon’s Recent Controversies and Political Context

Don Lemon’s arrest comes after a tumultuous period in his career and amid a charged political atmosphere. A prominent journalist for three decades, Lemon became a household name as a primetime CNN anchor known for his blunt commentary and combative interviews. However, his tenure at CNN ended in April 2023 under a cloud of controversy. CNN fired Lemon in 2023 following a disastrous run co-hosting a morning show, just weeks after he made widely criticized on-air remarks implying that Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, 51, was “past her prime” as a woman [28] [29]. The comment (for which Lemon later apologized as “inartful and irrelevant”) was denounced as sexist, drew rebukes from Haley and others, and compounded earlier complaints about Lemon’s workplace conduct and clashes with colleagues [28] [30]. His ouster from CNN, on the same day Fox News dropped its star Tucker Carlson, was national news and was celebrated by some on the political right who long saw Lemon as an antagonist [31] [32].

Since departing CNN, Lemon has reinvented himself as an independent commentator and content creator. He launched an online program (“The Don Lemon Show”) streaming on YouTube and social media, where he continued to cover hot-button issues and often expressed candid opinions. It was in this capacity, as an independent journalist with a camera crew, that Lemon decided to follow the group of activists into the St. Paul church on January 18 and broadcast the protest in real time [33] [22]. The incident tapped into several flashpoints of the current political climate: immigration enforcement, sanctuary churches, and the role of media in social activism.

President Trump’s return to office in 2025 has been accompanied by a hardline stance on immigration and a crackdown on protests deemed disruptive or illegal [34]. His administration, now with figures like AG Pam Bondi and AAG Harmeet Dhillon at Justice, has aggressively pursued cases against activists, and now, apparently, at least one journalist, in the name of law and order. Lemon, who is African American and openly gay, has long been a target of right-wing ire (Trump frequently insulted him from the White House podium) [27], making the optics of this arrest even more fraught. Some observers point to a pattern of press hostility by Trump and his allies, recalling the former president’s history of calling the media “enemy of the people.” In this context, the decision to charge Don Lemon over his newsgathering is being closely watched as a potential bellwether for press freedom under the current administration.

Outlook and Next Steps

As of this report, Don Lemon is expected to appear before a federal magistrate in California for a removal hearing, before likely being transferred to Minnesota to face charges. It remains to be seen what specific counts will be listed in the indictment (which is still under seal), and whether prosecutors will seek to detain Lemon or allow release pending trial. Lemon’s legal team has indicated they will fight any charges “vigorously” and seek a swift resolution in his favor [19]. The case has already drawn national attention, and could become a high-profile legal battle testing the boundaries between First Amendment press protections and the enforcement of civil rights laws protecting religious exercise. Media advocates are mobilizing in Lemon’s defense, arguing that punishing a journalist for documenting a protest sets a dangerous precedent. On the other side, administration officials appear determined to press forward, emphasizing that even journalists must respect lawful boundaries, especially in sacred spaces, or face consequences.

In the coming days, more details should emerge from court filings and official statements. Observers will be watching if the Department of Justice can substantiate its claim that Lemon crossed from journalism into criminal conspiracy, or if this prosecution falters under public pressure and judicial skepticism as it initially did. For now, the arrest of Don Lemon has sparked a firestorm, with many seeing it as a symbolic showdown over press freedom in a deeply polarized America. The Substack community and the broader public will no doubt continue to follow this story closely, as it touches on core democratic values and the ever-precarious relationship between the press and those in power.

Now listen, if you’ve ever needed a reason to support independent media, it’s this. When federal power starts putting journalists in handcuffs, the “safe” outlets get quieter, the incentives get uglier, and the truth gets negotiated down to whatever won’t upset advertisers, access, or careers. I don’t have a corporate parent, a billionaire board, or a party apparatus to protect me. I’ve got you. If this kind of work matters to you, step up and consider a paid subscription so I can keep doing the job even when the job starts getting punished.

Sources

1. Don Lemon arrested in connection with Minnesota protest: Sources, ABC News
   https://abcnews.go.com/US/don-lemon-arrested-connection-minnesota-protest-sources/story?id=129699476

2. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon taken into custody, sources say, CBS News
   https://www.cbsnews.com/news/don-lemon-in-custody-former-cnn-anchor-sources-say/

3. Don Lemon arrested in connection with Minnesota protest: Sources, ABC News
   https://abcnews.go.com/US/don-lemon-arrested-connection-minnesota-protest-sources/story?id=129699476

4. Don Lemon arrested after anti-ICE protest during Minnesota church service, KATV / The National Desk
   https://katv.com/news/nation-world/former-cnn-anchor-journalist-don-lemon-arrested-after-anti-ice-protest-during-minnesota-cities-church-service-st-paul-immigration-enforcement-justice-department-bondi

5. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon taken into custody, sources say, CBS News
   https://www.cbsnews.com/news/don-lemon-in-custody-former-cnn-anchor-sources-say/

6. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon taken into custody, sources say, CBS News
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7. Don Lemon Brushes Off Threats Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage, The Wrap
   https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/don-lemon-minnesota-church-protest-doj-threat/

8. DOJ’s ridiculous attempt to prosecute Don Lemon fails, Freedom of the Press Foundation
   https://freedom.press/issues/dojs-ridiculous-attempt-to-prosecute-don-lemon-fails/

9. Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest, The Guardian
   https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/30/don-lemon-minnesota-protest-charges

10. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon taken into custody, sources say, CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/don-lemon-in-custody-former-cnn-anchor-sources-say/

11. DOJ’s ridiculous attempt to prosecute Don Lemon fails, Freedom of the Press Foundation
    https://freedom.press/issues/dojs-ridiculous-attempt-to-prosecute-don-lemon-fails/

12. Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest, The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/30/don-lemon-minnesota-protest-charges

13. Don Lemon Brushes Off Threats Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage, The Wrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/don-lemon-minnesota-church-protest-doj-threat/

14. Don Lemon arrested after anti-ICE protest during Minnesota church service, KATV / The National Desk
    https://katv.com/news/nation-world/former-cnn-anchor-journalist-don-lemon-arrested-after-anti-ice-protest-during-minnesota-cities-church-service-st-paul-immigration-enforcement-justice-department-bondi

15. Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest, The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/30/don-lemon-minnesota-protest-charges

16. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon taken into custody, sources say, CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/don-lemon-in-custody-former-cnn-anchor-sources-say/

17. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon taken into custody, sources say, CBS News
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/don-lemon-in-custody-former-cnn-anchor-sources-say/

18. Don Lemon arrested in connection with Minnesota protest: Sources, ABC News
    https://abcnews.go.com/US/don-lemon-arrested-connection-minnesota-protest-sources/story?id=129699476

19. Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest, The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/30/don-lemon-minnesota-protest-charges

20. Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest, The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/30/don-lemon-minnesota-protest-charges

21. Don Lemon Brushes Off Threats Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage, The Wrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/don-lemon-minnesota-church-protest-doj-threat/

22. Don Lemon Brushes Off Threats Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage, The Wrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/don-lemon-minnesota-church-protest-doj-threat/

23. Don Lemon Brushes Off Threats Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage, The Wrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/don-lemon-minnesota-church-protest-doj-threat/

24. Don Lemon Brushes Off Threats Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage, The Wrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/don-lemon-minnesota-church-protest-doj-threat/

25. Don Lemon Brushes Off Threats Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage, The Wrap
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26. Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest, The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/30/don-lemon-minnesota-protest-charges

27. Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest, The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/30/don-lemon-minnesota-protest-charges

28. Don Lemon fired from CNN after divisive morning show run, AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-cnn-departure-204c35dea8e4bb1151c6cce0bf833182

29. Don Lemon fired from CNN after divisive morning show run, AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-cnn-departure-204c35dea8e4bb1151c6cce0bf833182

30. Don Lemon fired from CNN after divisive morning show run, AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-cnn-departure-204c35dea8e4bb1151c6cce0bf833182

31. Don Lemon fired from CNN after divisive morning show run, AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-cnn-departure-204c35dea8e4bb1151c6cce0bf833182

32. Don Lemon fired from CNN after divisive morning show run, AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/don-lemon-cnn-departure-204c35dea8e4bb1151c6cce0bf833182

33. Don Lemon Brushes Off Threats Over Minnesota Church Protest Coverage, The Wrap
    https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/don-lemon-minnesota-church-protest-doj-threat/

34. Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon arrested on charges connected to Minnesota church protest, The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/30/don-lemon-minnesota-protest-charges