Trump DOJ arrests ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon after judge initially rejected church protest charges

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Associated PressJanuary 30, 2026 at 03:30 PM

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Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles following a Justice Department investigation into a protest he live-streamed at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The January 18 protest disrupted a church service with demonstrators chanting against President Trump's immigration policies and demanding justice for a woman fatally shot by an ICE officer. The arrest, ordered by Attorney General Pam Bondi, comes after a magistrate judge initially rejected prosecutors' attempt to charge Lemon. The Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into the incident, alleging a coordinated attack on Cities Church. Lemon, who was covering the Grammy Awards, faces unspecified charges related to the protest.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Minneapolis 40% Grammy Awards 40% Cities Church 50% Los Angeles 50% Renee Good 50% Abbe Lowell 60% Pam Bondi 60% St. Paul, Minnesota ×270% CNN ×270% Justice Department 70% Donald Trump ×280% Don Lemon ×590%

Keywords

don lemon 100% arrest 90% church protest 80% immigration enforcement 70% trump administration 60% justice department 60% ice 50% civil rights investigation 50% st. paul minnesota 40%