Former CNN anchor Don Lemon joined a Cities Church protest last weekend at their St. Paul, Minnesota location. While demonstrators took over during the event, storming through and disrupting an ongoing church service. His role as a journalist has commanded quite a bit of the spotlight. This increase in attention followed a federal magistrate judge’s decision not to approve the charges against him. Political leaders on both sides of the aisle have expressed outrage about this decision. Attorney General Pam Bondi and former President Donald Trump are just two of the people condemning Lemon’s actions.
Lemon participated in activity that his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, argued was “constitutionally protected activity” under the First Amendment. The protest involved demonstrators advocating for various social issues, and Lemon reported on the event as part of his journalistic duties. The magistrate’s ruling is “very unusual” in these kind of cases. This decision further demonstrates our legal system’s understanding of the essential role that press freedom serves.
Even as he was attending that protest, Lemon aired live coverage from inside that church as a reporter, not an advocate. The alleged attack has led to calls for his arrest over Trump from the former president and many of his allies. Trump expressed his disapproval, stating, “I saw him the way he walked in that church, it was terrible.” He commented on the situation at the church, saying, “What they did in that church was horrible,” highlighting his concern for the pastor and the congregation.
Lemon’s legal team made a strong case that what he’s done is no different than the scope of his career in journalism for more than 30 years. Lowell said, “The magistrate’s reported actions only underscore the work that Don was doing as a reporter. His First Amendment rights were upheld this weekend in Minnesota.” It was no different than what he has done for more than 30 years, reporting and covering newsworthy events on the ground. “He further warned of potential legal repercussions if the Department of Justice pursues charges against Lemon: “Should the Department of Justice continue with a stunning and troubling effort to silence and punish a journalist for doing his job, Don will call out their latest attack on the rule of law and fight any charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
Lemon’s case isn’t unique — two other environmental activists from that same protest have already been convicted and arrested. The federal magistrate’s ruling provides a definitive timetable. If charges against Lemon are to be pursued, a grand jury should return any potential indictment within 30 days.
Bondi expressed her discontent with the situation, declaring, “WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” reinforcing her stance against disruptions at such events.