CRIME & LAW

Don Lemon Arrested After Minnesota Church Protest Coverage

PUBLISHED Jan 30, 2026, 9:19 AM ET

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Don Lemon Arrested After Minnesota Church Protest Coverage

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 11

Left 9%

Center 82%

Right 9%

Sources: 11

Washington — Federal agents arrested former CNN journalist Don Lemon in Los Angeles this week in connection with a Jan. 18 protest that disrupted a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, his attorney and multiple news outlets reported. Independent journalist Georgia Fort was also taken into custody. A magistrate judge had recently rejected prosecutors’ initial bid to charge a journalist in the case, and officials have not disclosed the specific charges against Lemon. Attorney Abbe Lowell said Lemon was reporting and will contest any charges in court. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Moonie | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Jan. 18: Anti-ICE protesters enter Cities Church service in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Immediate aftermath: Local authorities investigate and detain several individuals tied to the disruption.
Later: Prosecutors sought charges related to the incident; a magistrate judge rejected an initial bid.
This week: Federal agents arrested Don Lemon and Georgia Fort in Los Angeles while Lemon covered the Grammy Awards.
Afterwards: Attorney Abbe Lowell announced Lemon will fight any charges, citing First Amendment concerns.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 1
Neutral:: 9
Distribution:: Left 9%, Center 82%, Right 9%

Who Benefited

Civil liberties advocates and news organizations may gain renewed attention and legal focus around press protections after the arrest and ensuing statements from attorneys and media figures.

Who Impacted

Don Lemon, Georgia Fort, and the church congregation experienced immediate legal, reputational, and community impacts as authorities investigated the Jan. 18 protest and subsequent reporting activities.