Don Lemon has asked a federal judge to dismiss the criminal civil rights charges linked to his appearance at a Minnesota anti-ICE protest. His legal team argues that President Donald Trump’s longstanding hostility toward the former CNN anchor motivated the case rather than the facts.
Don Lemon’s attorneys asked a federal judge to dismiss criminal civil-rights charges tied to his appearance at an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota
According to a court filing obtained by Variety, Lemon’s lawyers claim the prosecution violates his First Amendment rights. They argue he attended the January protest in St. Paul as a journalist covering the event, not as a participant. The filing claims the Justice Department acted on Trump’s alleged “animus” toward Lemon. It also argues that prosecutors brought an unprecedented case against a reporter.
Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles on January 29 while covering the Grammy Awards. The arrest came in connection with his presence at a January 18 anti-ICE protest held inside a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was released the following day. Prosecutors charged Lemon and several other journalists under the FACE Act. That prohibits interfering with individuals’ constitutional right to freedom of religion.
His attorneys, led by Abbe Lowell, argue the government falsely claimed Lemon joined protesters by chanting and obstructing parishioners. They maintain he was simply reporting on demonstrations related to Operation Metro Surge and livestreaming the events. The filing further alleges that federal agents ignored requests for a voluntary surrender. Instead, they arrested Lemon at his hotel late at night to publicly embarrass him.
The motion also points to Trump’s repeated public criticism of Lemon over the years. It references remarks the president made at the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, where he mocked the journalist. It also cites a White House X post following Lemon’s arrest. His legal team argues those actions demonstrate political retaliation rather than legitimate law enforcement. Lemon previously accused authorities of using the case to intimidate journalists and discourage independent reporting.
The judge has not yet ruled on Lemon’s request to dismiss the charges. The case remains ongoing as both sides prepare for the next stage of the legal proceedings.
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