Former cable news anchor Don Lemon was arrested last night, according to multiple sources. The arrest involved agents from the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). A grand jury was reportedly empaneled on this matter the previous day.
Details of the Arrest
Lemon was taken into custody Thursday night in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards. The specific charges he will face are currently unknown.
Abbe Lowell, Lemon’s lawyer, released a statement asserting his client’s long career as a journalist and emphasizing the importance of the First Amendment. Lowell stated, “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done.”
Lowell further criticized the Justice Department, alleging a focus on arresting Lemon rather than investigating the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota earlier this month. He characterized this as “the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case.”
Background: Minnesota Protest
The arrest stems from an anti-ICE protest that took place inside St. Paul’s Cities Church in Minnesota. Demonstrators entered the church after learning an ICE official was among the church’s pastors. Multiple people have already been charged in connection with the protest.
The Justice Department had sought to compel a lower court to issue arrest warrants, alleging unlawful interference with the churchgoers’ freedom of religion. A federal appellate court declined to do so, though one judge indicated there was probable cause for the arrests.
CBS News has contacted the Department of Justice for comment.
What Happens Next?
Lemon is expected to appear in court to face the charges. A trial could follow, where the Justice Department will need to demonstrate probable cause and prove any alleged wrongdoing. It is also possible that a plea agreement could be reached. The case could also prompt further scrutiny of the Justice Department’s handling of the investigation into the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Don Lemon’s arrest?
Don Lemon was arrested in connection with an anti-ICE protest that occurred inside a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
What is Abbe Lowell’s position on the arrest?
Abbe Lowell, Lemon’s lawyer, believes the arrest is an attack on the First Amendment and a distraction from other issues, specifically the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Did the appellate court order Lemon’s arrest?
No, the federal appellate court declined to order a lower court judge to sign arrest warrants for Lemon and others involved in the protest.
How will this case impact the ongoing debate surrounding protests and freedom of the press?
