A federal magistrate judge in Minnesota has rejected the Justice Department’s attempt to bring criminal charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon over his presence during the disruption of a St. Paul church service by anti-ICE protesters. The judge declined to approve a charging complaint sought by federal prosecutors, effectively halting the case against Lemon at this stage.
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The incident occurred earlier this month at Cities Church, where a group of demonstrators entered the sanctuary during a Sunday service. The protesters confronted the pastor over alleged ties to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, interrupting worship and creating a tense and chaotic scene inside the church.
Prosecutors argued that Lemon was not merely documenting the event but had prior knowledge of the protest and crossed the line from journalism into participation. They pointed to his proximity to the protesters and his livestreaming of the disruption as evidence that he was more than a passive observer.
Lemon has strongly denied those claims, maintaining that he was present solely in a journalistic capacity. He has said he was there to record and report on what was happening, not to assist or encourage the protest, and has framed the issue as one involving press freedom and First Amendment protections.
The ruling reportedly angered Attorney General Pam Bondi, who signaled that the Justice Department is not backing down. Bondi has indicated the DOJ will continue exploring legal options, even as two local activists accused of organizing the church disruption have already been arrested and charged with conspiracy against rights.
The episode unfolds amid heightened tensions in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE agent earlier this month. That incident has fueled widespread protests, intensified scrutiny of ICE operations in the state, and set the backdrop for the legal and political battle surrounding the church disruption and Lemon’s involvement.[/read]