Key points
- Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles on Jan. 30, 2026 in connection with a Jan. 18 protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Federal authorities say the probe centers on the protest at Cities Church; prosecutors are reviewing allegations that protesters interfered with worshippers’ rights.
- Lemon says he was reporting as a journalist and will vigorously contest the charges through his attorneys.
- The arrest follows earlier actions against other demonstrators tied to the same event and comes amid heightened political scrutiny over enforcement of religious-access laws.
Short summary — Don Lemon Arrest
Federal agents took Don Lemon into custody in Los Angeles overnight, sources and his lawyer confirmed.
Authorities say the arrest relates to a Jan. 18 protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul that interrupted a service and targeted an ICE-affiliated pastor.
What prosecutors are reportedly reviewing
Justice Department officials have indicated they are investigating whether protesters unlawfully obstructed congregants’ ability to worship.
Some reporting says charges under statutes protecting access to places of worship (including FACE-Act-type counts) are being considered; prosecutors will determine formal counts.
Lemon’s account and legal team response
Lemon and his attorney, Abbe Lowell, say he attended and livestreamed the event as a reporter and did not organize or lead any disruptive activity.
Lowell has called the arrest an attack on press freedom and said Lemon will contest any charges vigorously in court.
Context — why the protest drew federal attention
The Jan. 18 demonstration targeted Cities Church after reports one pastor had ties to ICE; protesters entered during a service and chanted, provoking immediate controversy.
Federal authorities previously moved against other participants in the same protest, and the episode has prompted a robust DOJ review of potential civil-rights violations.
How the legal process will likely proceed
An arrest moves the matter into the criminal-justice pipeline — arraignment, potential charges, and (if prosecutors proceed) grand-jury or indictments.
Lemon’s lawyers and federal prosecutors will exchange evidence and the courts will decide whether formal charges are filed and which statutes apply.
What to treat as confirmed vs. developing
Confirmed: Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles and detained in connection with the January church protest.
Developing/unconfirmed: precise formal charges being filed, full scope of alleged conduct, and ultimate prosecutorial decisions — those await court filings and DOJ statements.
Why this story matters beyond one arrest
The case raises questions about the boundary between newsgathering and participation in protest, DOJ priorities in enforcing religious-access laws, and how politics shape federal enforcement choices.
Courts and juries will have to weigh evidence — and the political fallout will likely persist regardless of legal outcomes.
Quick FAQ — concise answers readers want
Was Don Lemon arrested?
Yes — federal agents arrested him in Los Angeles on Jan. 30, 2026 in connection with the St. Paul protest.
Is he charged yet?
Officials say the arrest relates to the protest investigation; formal charging documents and specific counts are expected to be filed or disclosed in court records.
Did Lemon admit wrongdoing?
No — Lemon and his attorney deny wrongdoing and say he was acting as a journalist; they plan to contest any charges.
Do you think journalists should be arrested for reporting at protests?
Disclaimer: This article summarizes contemporaneous reporting as of Jan. 30, 2026. It presents confirmed developments and identifies what remains under investigation; it is not a legal judgment. For official records, court documents and DOJ statements should be consulted.