A federal magistrate judge has declined a request from the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against former CNN host Don Lemon, stemming from his involvement in a controversial protest that disrupted a Sunday church service in Minnesota. The judge refused to approve a charging complaint sought by federal prosecutors, marking an early setback in a case that has drawn significant political and media attention.
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According to sources cited by CNN, the decision has frustrated senior Justice Department officials. One source said Attorney General Pam Bondi was “enraged” by the ruling and has spent several days in Minnesota meeting with federal prosecutors to assess possible next steps following the incident.
The case centers on a protest earlier this month at Cities Church, where anti–Immigration and Customs Enforcement activists entered the sanctuary during a worship service. The group interrupted the service with chants and confrontational questions aimed at Pastor David Easterwood, whom protesters allege also serves as an acting ICE field director.
The demonstration followed the fatal shooting of Minnesota resident Renée Good by an ICE agent, an incident that sparked widespread protests across the state. Don Lemon attended the church disruption and livestreamed portions of the event, later asserting that he was present solely as a journalist documenting the protest.
In video footage Lemon shared online, he can be heard telling those around him that he was not part of the protest group and was there only to observe and record. Federal officials, however, have questioned that claim, noting that Lemon entered the church alongside demonstrators and was present during heated exchanges that disrupted religious worship.
While Lemon has not been charged, the Justice Department has already arrested and charged two activists connected to the protest, Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon has warned publicly that journalists may still face legal consequences if they participate in or facilitate disruptions of protected spaces such as houses of worship. Although the magistrate judge’s decision leaves Lemon uncharged for now, DOJ officials have indicated the matter remains under review and alternative legal options have not been ruled out.[/read]