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Journalist Don Lemon pleads not guilty to civil rights charges in Minnesota church protest
- On Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, Don Lemon, former CNN anchor and independent journalist, pleaded not guilty at the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, St. Paul, after indictment with eight others.
- Organizers say the Jan. 18 service at Cities Church was targeted because they believed a senior pastor there worked with ICE, and protesters interrupted the service chanting `ICE out` and `Justice for Renee Good` while Lemon livestreamed earlier this month.
- According to court filings, the grand jury charged Lemon with conspiracy against religious freedom and injuring worship, prosecutors seized his phone now held by the Department of Homeland Security, and the indictment groups him with co-conspirators without noting his journalist role.
- Supporters and protesters outside the Warren E. Burger Federal Building chanted `Protect the press` as Lemon was released on a no-money bond, despite prosecutors seeking $100,000.
- Lemon's lawyers say the case raises First Amendment questions and plan to press those defenses, while Lemon said, `For more than 30 years, I've been a journalist...`, and magistrate and appeals courts previously rejected DOJ efforts amid recent prosecutor resignations.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Grandstanding Don Lemon insists he ‘will not be silenced’ after he pleads not guilty to Minnesota church protest charges
Don Lemon arrogantly boasted that he "will not be silenced" and whined about the Trump administration after he pleaded not guilty Friday for his role in storming a Minneapolis church with anti-ICE protesters.
Don Lemon pleads not guilty in St. Paul church ICE protest case
ST. PAUL — Former CNN anchor and journalist Don Lemon pleaded not guilty on Friday, Feb. 13, to charges related to a church protest earlier this month. Lemon was one of five to appear in federal court Friday for the case related to the Jan. 19 protest when demonstrators disrupted a St. Paul church service where a Minnesota ICE official is believed to be a pastor. "For more than 30 years, I've been a journalist, and the power and protection of th…
Don Lemon Pleads Not Guilty to Civil Rights Charges Over Coverage of Minnesota Church Protest
The former CNN anchor covered a demonstration that involved protestors disrupting a church service. His lawyer says the journalist is protected by the First Amendment, while prosecutors argue that Lemon crossed a line into activity violating civil rights laws.
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