Don Lemon Arrested Following ‘Church Invasion’ Incident in Minneapolis

Don Lemon Arrested Following ‘Church Invasion’ Incident in Minneapolis: A Turning Point in the Debate Over Journalism, Protest and Religious Freedom

On January 29, 2026, former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles in connection with a highly controversial protest that unfolded earlier in the month at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The incident and subsequent arrest have ignited a firestorm of legal debate, political commentary, and questions about journalism’s boundaries — creating one of the most talked-about news stories of the year.

In this blog post, we’ll unpack the full story: what happened in Minneapolis, the charges against Lemon and others, the broader implications for the press and protest rights in the United States, and the polarized reactions it’s triggered.

🕊️ What Happened Inside Cities Church

The chain of events started on January 18, 2026, during a Sunday morning service at Cities Church in St. Paul. Protesters, identifying themselves as part of an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstration, entered the church service chanting slogans and confronting worshippers and clergy. The protest was motivated by an allegation — widely circulated among activists — that one of the church’s pastors was also serving in a leadership role with ICE.

Protesters chanted “ICE out” and other slogans inside the church, and what had been a regular worship service was interrupted, with congregants fleeing and services effectively halted. Video footage from the scene — some of which was uploaded by Don Lemon himself — showed tense moments, raised voices, and visible distress among churchgoers.

Lemon, a veteran journalist and broadcaster, was present in St. Paul and streamed the protest on his YouTube channel. He said at the time that he was there to document what was unfolding, portraying himself as a journalist capturing a significant event.

👨‍⚖️ The Charges and the Arrest

Federal authorities framed the incident at Cities Church not simply as a protest but as an illegal disruption and interference with religious freedom. On January 29, federal agents flew to Los Angeles — where Lemon was attending the Grammy Awards — and arrested him along with three others tied to the protest.

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