Los Angeles / Minneapolis —
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was taken into federal custody on January 30, 2026, by agents in Los Angeles in connection with a protest at a Minneapolis-area church earlier this month, his attorney confirmed Friday. 

The arrest stems from a January 18 demonstration at the Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a group of protesters entered during a Sunday service to decry what they called aggressive immigration enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Protesters targeted a pastor they allege is an ICE field director, and the service was temporarily interrupted amid chants and confrontation. 

Lemon, a veteran journalist now hosting independent news content online, livestreamed and recorded portions of the protest, interviewing demonstrators and documenting events as they unfolded. 

Federal authorities say Lemon’s presence and actions during the protest may have violated laws intended to protect access to places of worship and prevent interference with religious services. Prosecutors have reportedly cited the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) and other statutes in connection with the broader investigation into the disruption. 

Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, condemned the arrest as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment,” saying Lemon was acting in his role as a journalist and had no affiliation with the protest organizers. Lowell accused the Justice Department of directing attention toward Lemon’s arrest instead of investigating recent controversies involving federal agents in Minnesota. 

Lemon was reportedly taken into custody in Los Angeles while he was covering the Grammy Awards and later transported into federal detention pending his court appearance. Details of any formal indictment remain unclear as of Friday evening. 

Controversy and Legal Pushback

The arrest marks a significant escalation in a case that has already seen legal pushback. Earlier this month, a Minnesota federal magistrate judge refused to sign off on a criminal complaint against Lemon and others related to the protest, finding insufficient evidence to justify charges at that time. Federal prosecutors then sought to have the case advanced despite the judicial rebuff, illustrating the contentious nature of the matter. 

Legal experts and press freedom advocates have raised alarms about the implications of Lemon’s arrest for the protection of journalists under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, which safeguards freedom of the press and expression. Critics argue that Lemon’s role was documentary and journalistic, rather than participatory, and that detaining a reporter for covering protests sets a troubling precedent. 

Supporters of the government’s actions counter that entering a private place of worship during a live service — even in a journalistic capacity — may carry legal consequences if it impedes the rights of congregants. Federal authorities have underscored the importance of enforcing laws that protect access to places of worship, regardless of political context. 

The case has already drawn commentary from lawmakers and civil rights figures, with some expressing concern about freedom of the press, while others emphasize legal accountability for actions that disrupt religious services. As of Friday evening, Don Lemon remains in custody and is expected to appear in federal court to answer questions related to the protest and subsequent arrest. 

SOURCES: ABC News, Forbes, NBC News, Reuters