Former television host Don Lemon appeared in federal court in Minnesota on Friday for coverage of a protest inside a church against the ICE immigration offensive. The communicator, who pleaded innocent, faces a criminal case for charges against civil and religious rights. Below, the keys to a legal dispute that confronts freedom of expression and freedom of worship.

First modification: 02/13/2026 - 17:55 Last modification: 02/13/2026 - 21:41

The events date back to January 18, when a group of protesters broke into the Cities Baptist Church, south of St. Paul (Minnesota), in the middle of a religious celebration, while chanting slogans such as "ICE Out!" or "Justice for Renee Good!" They did so in reference to the American mother and poet, Renée Good, fatally shot days ago by a masked Immigration agent.

The protest was recorded live by Don Lemon, formerly a CNN anchor and now an independent journalist, who appears this Friday, February 13, in federal court, accused of "conspiring" to deprive others of their civil and religious rights.

While the White House has condemned the protest and media coverage at different levels, Lemon's lawyer has described the case as an attack on the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the First Amendment of the country's Constitution.

In this initial stage of the process, allegations are presented and future proceedings are scheduled.

Lemon has previously stated, through his attorney Marilyn Bednarsk, that he plans to plead not guilty.

What were the reasons for the arrest?

Lemon, who broadcast more than six hours live on his YouTube channel that January 18, followed the protesters inside the temple, interviewed several of them and confronted the lead pastor, whom the organizers accused of working for ICE.

In the indictment, prosecutors maintain that Don Lemon and the rest of the defendants coordinated to break into the temple, surround the pastor, scold him and block the exit of some faithful, with the intention of intimidating them and making it difficult for them to participate in the religious event.

This story profiles the journalist as more than an observer, and includes him as part of a “takeover attack” of the temple, knowing in advance the activists' plan and keeping it secret.

Following the protest, the Department of Justice prepared a criminal complaint against nine defendants—seven activists and two journalists. However, Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko refused to authorize part of the charges, including those relating to Don Lemon, considering the evidence insufficient.

Despite the judicial setback, the Federal Prosecutor's Office brought the case before a grand jury in Minnesota, which on January 29 approved an indictment.

The following night, FBI and Homeland Security agents detained the journalist at a Beverly Hills hotel. Don Lemon spent the night in custody, appeared in federal court in Los Angeles and was later released without bail, with an obligation to attend future hearings in Minnesota.

Thus, the journalist must appear in court this Friday on two charges: conspiracy to violate civil rights and violation of the law known as the FACE Act, traditionally used against those who block abortion clinics or places of worship.

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act of 1994 prohibits interference with or intimidation of any person exercising or attempting to exercise the right to religious freedom in a place of worship, whether through force, threats of force, or physical obstruction. Penalties can be up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

What happened in court?

The former CNN presenter pleaded not guilty in court.

Lemon entered the St. Paul courthouse Friday afternoon wearing a suit and jacket. Upon entering, he applauded and greeted his supporters, but did not answer journalists' questions.

Standing at a podium and accompanied by his attorneys, Lemon responded "not guilty" when asked for his plea.

Then, after pleading innocent, he told the press: “I will not be intimidated, I will not back down, I will fight these unfounded charges and I will not be silenced.”

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Meanwhile, dozens of the journalist's supporters gathered in front of the courthouse to protest, chanting "Drop the charges" and "Protect freedom of expression." They carried signs with slogans such as "Lemon was just doing his job" and "ICE Out!"

Press freedom vs. religious freedom?

The prosecution of Don Lemon embodies a clash between defending press freedom and federal laws protecting religious freedom.

Since the first connection of Lemon and the reporter Georgia Fort to the criminal case, organizations such as the Foundation for Rights and Individual Expression (FIRE), the Foundation for Freedom of the Press, Reporters Without Borders or the National Press Club denounced the arrest of the communicators as a "warning" to the entire union.

For these associations, the message is clear: if the Government manages to get a jury to see a journalist as part of a "conspiracy" for knowing about a protest in advance and broadcasting it from within, any reporter who covers social movements runs the risk of being treated as a co-author of possible crimes.

"In a free society, journalists play a vital role in documenting and reporting on events of public interest, including illegal conduct. Fabricating federal crimes based on the facts we have seen so far weakens that fundamental function," FIRE denounced.

But in other sectors of the population, especially among religious leaders and conservative politicians, the church protest sparked national outrage.

President Donald Trump praised the Justice Department for bringing charges against Lemon, calling the interruption of the religious service "a horrible thing,"

On the day of Don Lemon's arrest, US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a social media video that prosecutors will pursue anyone who threatens the "sacred right" to worship freely and safely.

Read also "'The New York Times' sues the Pentagon for violating freedom of expression"

Crusade against the press under the Trump Government

After Donald Trump's return to the White House, confrontations between the president and journalists have become a regular part of appearances. The Republican leader has used epithets, mainly against women, such as "the worst reporter in the world", "terrible journalist", or has called those who have questioned him about sensitive current American and international issues "ugly" or "pig".

In October 2025, the Trump Administration tightened the rules for communicators reporting from the Pentagon, requiring them, under threat of losing their credentials, to agree not to obtain or use any material without authorization from the State Department, even if it is unclassified information.

Journalists had to acknowledge the new rules by signing a document, which contemplated the possibility that they would be considered a risk to national security.

"There is no more important moment than now for free and independent media"

In an unprecedented response, communicators from around thirty media outlets, including 'Fox News', close to the Trump Administration, decided to withdraw in rejection of the new limitations.

A month ago, the White House had pressed, through the Federal Communications Commission, to take Jimmy Kimmel's 'Late Show' off the air for comments on the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, in the face of rejection by a large sector of the press.

Now, it will be Don Lemon who must be held accountable, this time in court, for coverage against Donald Trump's policies.

"I have dedicated my entire career to covering the news. I am not going to stop now. In fact, there is no more important moment than now for a free and independent media to shed light on the truth and hold those in power accountable," the journalist declared after his arrest.

Joe Thompson, one of four attorneys who will lead Don Lemon's defense, is one of several former prosecutors who recently left office in Minnesota over the Trump Administration's handling of the Renée Good shooting and other civil rights cases.

The lawyer led the investigation into various cases of fraud in public programs, until his resignation last month, in which the majority of the accused are part of the state's large Somali community, whom the president has accused of defrauding the treasury.

Read alsoTrump's battle against the media: the Jimmy Kimmel case

With Reuters, AP and local media

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