Former CNN anchor Don Lemon claims that his actions, and those of the leftist protesters who followed him into a church to disrupt Sunday services, were protected under First Amendment press freedom and freedom of speech. Lemon ignores the fact that parishioners also have a right to attend worship without being harassed or disturbed.
Leftist activists have frequently used tactics such as cowbells and horns to drown out conservative speakers, reflecting a belief that their right to make noise supersedes another person’s right to speak. In this case, however, it is especially appalling that they claim a right to protest that overrides people’s right to worship God.
Lemon was arrested on January 30, 2026, and charged with federal crimes related to an anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2026. A federal grand jury indicted Lemon and eight others on charges of conspiracy against the rights of religious freedom at a place of worship and interfering with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship.
The charges stem from alleged violations of the FACE Act, which protects the right to exercise religious freedom without injury, intimidation, or interference.
The protest, called Operation Pullup, was organized by activist Nekima Levy Armstrong and targeted Pastor David Easterwood, who also serves as an ICE field office director. Prosecutors allege the demonstration was planned as a coordinated disruption of the church service. According to the indictment, protesters shouted, blew whistles, and interrupted the sermon, intimidating congregants and interfering with worship.
Prosecutors characterize the event as a takeover-style attack and allege Lemon knowingly joined the group, participated in planning elements, and helped obstruct congregants and the pastor during the service.
Lemon was arrested late at night in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards, appeared in federal court on January 31, and was released on his own recognizance without posting bond. Prosecutors had sought a $100,000 bond and travel restrictions, but the judge denied both requests. Lemon has not entered a plea, though his attorneys say he will plead not guilty. His next hearing is scheduled for February 9 in Minneapolis.
The case revives charges that a federal magistrate judge had rejected the previous week for insufficient evidence. Minnesota Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz previously wrote that Lemon and his producer were not protesters and that there was no evidence they engaged in criminal behavior or conspired to do so. Attorney General Pam Bondi later directed federal agents to arrest Lemon following the magistrate judge’s decision.
Civil liberties groups, press freedom organizations, and Democratic officials criticized the arrests as an attempt to chill journalism and dissent. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called the arrests deeply troubling, while national press organizations warned the case could set a dangerous precedent for First Amendment protections for journalists covering protests.
The FACE Act charges against Lemon carry particular irony given the law’s legislative history. The FACE Act was introduced in 1993 by Democrats Chuck Schumer and Ted Kennedy to protect abortion clinics from violent anti-abortion protesters. Republicans and religious groups opposed the bill, arguing it was one-sided and targeted only pro-life activists.
Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah proposed an amendment extending the bill’s protections to those exercising their right to pray at a house of worship. Hatch said the amendment would ensure religious liberty received the same protection the bill gave abortion access, arguing that anyone who opposed the amendment valued religious freedom less than abortion.
The amendment made the law content-neutral by protecting access to both medical and spiritual services. Ted Kennedy accepted the amendment without objection, and Democrats agreed to it to secure the votes needed for passage.
The Senate passed the bill 69–30, with 17 Republicans voting in favor, and President Clinton signed it into law on May 26, 1994. Between 1994 and 2024, the Justice Department brought 211 FACE Act cases, 205 of them against pro-life activists. The religious worship provision remained largely dormant for nearly 30 years until the Trump administration began using it in 2025–2026.
The charges against Don Lemon rely on the Republican-led amendment. The Justice Department argues that by participating in a protest that disrupted a church service, Lemon violated the portion of the law that prohibits physical obstruction interfering with any person lawfully exercising the First Amendment right to religious freedom at a place of worship.
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