Don Lemon released from custody after LA court appearance

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was launched with out bail on Friday after his look in courtroom in Los Angeles.

“I have been overlaying the information my whole profession. I am not going to cease now,” Lemon advised reporters outdoors the courthouse. “There isn’t any extra vital time than proper now, proper now, for a free and impartial media to shine a lightweight on the reality and maintain these accountable. And I will not cease now. I’ll by no means cease.”

“Final evening, the DOJ despatched a crew of federal brokers to arrest me in the course of the evening for one thing I’ve finished for the previous thirty years. And that is the information. The First Modification to the Structure protects that work for me and for numerous different journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I cannot be silenced. I sit up for my day in courtroom.”

DON LEMON TAKEN IN CUSTODY for his involvement within the MINNESOTA CHURCH livestreaming protest

Don Lemon speaks to the media after a listening to on the Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles, January 30, 2026 (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP by way of Getty Photos)

Lemon, carrying a tan go well with and a tan collarless shirt, was escorted into the courtroom with out restraint. His husband and Democratic LA Mayor Karen Bass confirmed help for Lemon in courtroom.

His subsequent courtroom look is scheduled for Feb. 9 in Minneapolis.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DOJ THREATS AGAINST DON LEMON AFTER HE FUCKED ANTI-ICE PROTESTERS IN ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

Don Lemon speaks to the media after a listening to on the Edward R. Roybal Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles, January 30, 2026. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP by way of Getty Photos)

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Lemon was charged with conspiracy to commit deprivation of rights and violation of the FACE Act for his involvement within the anti-ICE protest that disrupted providers at a Minnesota church. Lemon was in Los Angeles on the time of his arrest to cowl the Grammy Awards.

“Don has been a journalist for 30 years and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no totally different than what he has at all times finished,” Lemon’s legal professional, Abbe Lowell, mentioned in a press release.

“The First Modification exists to guard journalists whose position is to shine a lightweight on the reality and maintain these in energy accountable. There isn’t any extra vital time for individuals like Don to be doing this work.

“As an alternative of investigating the federal brokers who murdered two peaceable protesters in Minnesota, Trump’s Justice Division is devoting its time, consideration and sources to this arrest, which is the true allegation of misconduct on this case. This unprecedented assault on the First Modification and the clear try and distract from the numerous crises going through this administration won’t stand. Don will vigorously and completely struggle these fees in courtroom.”

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A federal Justice of the Peace choose beforehand rejected the Justice Division’s first try and file fees in opposition to Lemon. The DOJ then requested an indictment from a Minnesota grand jury.

Lemon went viral earlier this month for livestreaming left-wing agitators storming St. Paul’s Cities Church throughout Sunday providers. Lemon has insisted he was there as a journalist, not a protester. Nevertheless, within the indictment, the DOJ accuses him of coordinating with protest organizers earlier than they arrived on the church.

Don Lemon has advised Fox Information Digital that he stands behind his reporting. (Don Citroen/YouTube)

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Agitators disrupted the service and “intimidate, harassed, oppressed and terrorized parishioners, together with younger kids, and brought about the service to be shut down,” in response to a federal affidavit.

Churchgoers advised police that members of their parish tried to select up their kids from a childcare facility downstairs, however the agitators blocked the steps and oldsters couldn’t get to their kids. A churchgoer later expressed fears that the agitators had weapons underneath their coats and famous that the aisles had been blocked, making it tough to go away.

The protesters focused Cities Church, suspecting the pastor was an ICE worker.

Anti-ICE agitators storm Cities Church in Minnesota, disrupting providers. (VALIDATED UGC, Black Lives Matter Minnesota by way of The Related Press)

The Freedom of the Press Basis (FPF) condemned the arrest.

“Two federal courts have dismissed Lemon’s prosecution outright as a result of the proof for these vindictive and unconstitutional fees was inadequate, and Lemon has each proper to doc information and inform the general public. As an alternative of accepting that humiliating defeat, the federal government has now doubled down,” mentioned FPF advocacy chief Seth Stern.

“The unmistakable message is that journalists have to be cautious as the federal government appears to be like for tactics to assault them,” he continued. “The reply to this outrageous assault isn’t concern or self-censorship. It’s a good stronger dedication to journalism, the reality and the First Modification.”

CNN additionally defended Lemon, who was terminated by the community in 2023.

Jane Fonda speaks to the media in help of Don Lemon outdoors the Edward R. Roybal Federal Constructing in Los Angeles on Friday, January 30, 2026. (Derek Shook for Fox Information Digital)

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The FACE Act makes it’s a federal crime, carrying attainable stiff fines and jail sentences, to make use of or threaten to make use of pressure to “injure, intimidate, or impede” an individual in search of reproductive well being care providers or an individual lawfully trying to train the First Modification proper to spiritual freedom in a spot of non secular worship. It additionally prohibits intentional property harm to an establishment offering reproductive well being care providers or to a spot of non secular worship.

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A number of individuals on the protest are going through comparable fees, together with Georgia Fort, an impartial journalist who, like Lemon, mentioned she was on the church to cowl the protest.

Fox Information’ Brian Flood contributed to this report.