(The Hill) — Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal authorities in Los Angeles late Thursday night, according to his attorney.
Lemon, now an independent journalist and a frequent critic of President Donald Trump and his allies, had drawn scrutiny from the administration in recent days over his coverage of anti-immigration enforcement protests at a church in Minnesota.
“Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards,” the former cable news host’s attorney said. “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different that what he has always done.”
Lemon was among a group of protestors who earlier this month entered a Saint Paul church where demonstrators believed an ICE agent was serving as pastor, The New York Times reported.
The Trump administration had sought to charge eight people, including Lemon, in connection with the incident, citing a law that protects houses of worship from protest.
Lemon has argued he was not participating in the demonstration but covering it as a member of the media.
“Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case,” his attorney said. “This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
Like many journalists, Lemon had come to Minnesota to cover recent civil unrest there following the shooting death of two U.S. citizens by ICE officials amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown there.
Lemon was a prime-time host at CNN for years and often drew the ire of conservatives for his commentary on current events and politics during his time on the air there.
He started “The Don Lemon Show” on YouTube and Substack after leaving the network in 2023, after being ousted by former network head Chris Licht, who at the time was working to bring CNN’s programming back to the political center.
The Trump administration has taken criticism from Democrats and press freedom advocates during his second term for its efforts to restrict press access to the Pentagon and certain White House spaces, along with threats by the president to the power of his FCC to crack down on news networks that are critical of him.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche was expected to hold a press conference at the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday morning in connection with Lemon’s arrest.
