DOJ Accepts Don Lemon’s Challenge as He Says ‘Keep Trying’ to Arrest Me

Conservative News DailyJanuary 23, 2026

An opinion piece from the Western Journal criticizes former CNN anchor Don Lemon, calling his actions and rhetoric examples of “narcissism” on the modern American left. The article describes a video in which Lemon reportedly took part in-and later defended-an intrusion into Cities Church in St. Paul by protesters opposing an ICE operation, and dared the Department of Justice to arrest him. Harmeet Dhillon reportedly replied “OK” on X, while a federal magistrate judge declined to sign charges against Lemon. Lemon is quoted saying he will continue his work and even invited martyrdom, comparing himself to Jimmy Kimmel. The piece highlights X users who urged authorities to arrest him and alleges the incident was coordinated rather than legitimate journalism. The author argues Lemon and others involved violated churchgoers’ rights and shoudl face legal consequences to deter what the article calls attention-seeking behavior.

One quality defines the modern American left: narcissism.

In a clip posted Thursday to the social media platform X, disgraced former CNN anchor Don Lemon dared President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice to “keep trying” to arrest him for his role in Sunday’s invasion of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, by a group of leftist agitators opposed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents’ ongoing operation in Minnesota.

Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the DOJ, accepted Lemon’s challenge.

“OK,” Dhillon wrote on X.

On Thursday, a federal magistrate judge in Minnesota refused to sign off on charges against Lemon.

“Look, I stand proud, and I stand tall,” the faux journalist said. “This is not a victory lap for me, because it’s not over. They’re gonna try again, and they’re gonna try again. And guess what? Here I am. Keep trying. That’s not gonna stop me from being a journalist. You’re not gonna diminish my voice.”

Then, Lemon got to the heart of the matter: his own narcissism.

“Go ahead,” he continued, “make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel if you want.”

Kimmel, the comedian-turned-propagandist who hosts “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC, was briefly taken off the air in September after lying to his audience about the identity of conservative Christian icon Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin. Leftists responded by turning Kimmel into their latest unworthy martyr.

In other words, Lemon wants the same treatment. He needs attention so badly that he violated churchgoers’ civil rights and dared the DOJ to arrest him — on camera.

Okay https://t.co/Exo4dFnww8

— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) January 23, 2026

Dhillon’s two-letter response to Lemon’s dare should assure the would-be leftist martyr that he will soon get his wish.

Either way, X users responded with eagerness for Lemon’s eventual arrest.

PLEASE get him.

And make sure you’ve got a camera crew when you arrest him.

For posterity.

— Isaiah L. Carter 🇺🇸 (@IsaiahLCarter) January 23, 2026

It was coordinated. He was with the group beforehand. He knew where they were going. Why they were going. It wasn’t journalism. Holding a microphone and being followed by a camera shouldn’t grant impunity. Don’t back down from this, please. pic.twitter.com/Kh9U2ir01P

— Combat Action Dad (@CombatActionDad) January 23, 2026

One X user marveled at Lemon’s brazenness in pursuit of attention.

“Lemon wants to be arrested. He thinks it will help his career,” the user wrote.

Lemon wants to be arrested. He thinks it will help his career

— Kdbox (@Kdbox2) January 23, 2026

The narcissism that motivates leftists like Lemon only festers when crimes of this kind go unpunished.

For all his repellent qualities, Kimmel merely spoke words. No one wanted him arrested for it.

Lemon, by contrast, participated in the protesters’ invasion and then furthered their agenda. He and everyone else involved in that invasion should receive a lengthy opportunity to bask in their narcissism from behind bars.