Don Lemon was arrested and taken into custody by federal agents on Thursday evening, when the veteran journalist was in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards. Don has been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump during his journalism career. More recently, the reporter has been in a public feud with Trump supporter Nicki Minaj over his coverage of ICE.
The charges Don is facing were not made immediately clear upon his arrest. However, just days ago, the former CNN host was warned by a Department of Justice official that he was “on notice,” following his coverage of ICE protests in Minnesota. A magistrate judge and an appeals court had earlier rejected these efforts.
Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents over Minnesota ICE protest coverage
“At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X today. She also stated the arrests were made “in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.”
“More details soon,” she added.
The Justice Department initially brought charges after Don live-streamed an anti-ICE protest inside a church this month. The journalist broadcast the actions of protesters, who disrupted a service in St. Paul’s church in the Twin Cities. Don was met with a slew of homophobic abuse from his critics, namely rapper Nicki Minaj, who has expressed her support for ICE. At the time, Don denied any connection to the protest group. He stated that he followed the protestors’ march, which erupted during a church service. The protests were sparked at the place of worship because a pastor at the church works as an ICE officer.
“I’m not going to get in the middle of it, because I’m not here as an activist. I’m here as a journalist,” Don told viewers during the livestream.
Don’s arrest is one of many recent examples of the Trump administration violently thwarting coverage of ICE. This month, ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot dead by ICE agents after recording their actions. Hannah Natanson, a Washington Post journalist, received a search warrant from the Trump administration-run FBI. Her devices and personal belongings were seized in the search.
CNN, where Don formerly worked as a journalist, stated that he will appear in court on Friday.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN FOLLOWING THIS EXTREMELY HIGH-PROFILE ICE ARREST?
