January 1, Don Lemon Faces Federal Charges After Church Protest

Wyatt’s Take

• Lemon pleads not guilty to serious federal charges.
• Protest disrupted church service in Minnesota.
• Debate fires up over rights, media, and law enforcement.

Former TV host Don Lemon has pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges after livestreaming a protest that interrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The Department of Homeland Security accuses Lemon of conspiring to deprive churchgoers of their right to practice religion and violating the FACE Act.

Lemon claims he was only reporting as press, even though he knew about the planned disruption before it happened.

During his broadcast, Lemon said

“the protesters were exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech.”

But in another moment, he hid the activists’ planning from viewers to “safeguard their sensitive information.”

Some viewers thought Lemon sided with the protesters because he sometimes said “we” and “us” during the stream.

Authorities also arrested other activists and journalists connected to the protest, which targeted a church that allegedly had a pastor with ICE connections.

Harmeet Dhillon from the Department of Justice called out Lemon, saying

“A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws!”

“Nor does the First Amendment protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service. You are on notice!”

Lemon’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, defended him, arguing the charges threaten freedom of the press.

“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done.”

Lemon and others now wait for their day in court to answer to the charges from the chaotic day at Cities Church.

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Wyatt Matters

This case shines a light on where American values stand—protecting faith, upholding law, and keeping the media honest. Heartland families know you can’t disrupt Sunday worship without consequences, no matter who you are.

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