{"id":2641820,"date":"2026-08-07T12:20:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T16:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/don-lemon-seeks-dismissal-of-minnesota-church-protest-charges\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T12:23:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T16:23:55","slug":"don-lemon-seeks-dismissal-of-minnesota-church-protest-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/don-lemon-seeks-dismissal-of-minnesota-church-protest-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Don Lemon seeks dismissal of Minnesota church protest charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdon-lemon-seeks-dismissal-of-minnesota-church-protest-charges%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2641820&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Don Lemon, a former CNN anchor, has requested a federal judge to dismiss charges related to his involvement in an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church. Prosecutors allege Lemon participated in a coordinated intrusion during a worship service in St. Paul, which Lemon claims he was there to document. Lemon faces charges of conspiring to interfere with religious rights and violating the FACE Act, which prohibits obstructing religious practices. His lawyers argue he was merely a journalist witnessing a public event, emphasizing that reporting should be protected under the First Amendment, and contend that the case is influenced by political hostility from the trump administration. They also accuse the government of misrepresenting his role and unlawfully applying statutes. Lemon was arrested at a Los Angeles hotel despite offers to surrender voluntarily. The government has yet to respond to his legal motions.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Former CNN anchor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/don-lemon\/\">Don Lemon<\/a> asked a federal judge Friday to dismiss the case stemming from an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota\/\">Minnesota<\/a> church service, arguing President Donald Trump\u2019s  <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\">Justice Department<\/a> selectively and vindictively targeted him for reporting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prosecutors allege Lemon was part of a \u201ctakeover-style attack\u201d at Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18. Demonstrators rushed into the church during worship, and Lemon live-streamed the episode. He has maintained that he was there to document it.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4679106\/don-lemon-dismiss-minnesota-church-protest-case\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Don Lemon moves to dismiss case over Minnesota church protest on selective and vindictive prosecution claims<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4679112\/dc-circuit-congress-approval-white-hosue-ballroom\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump must get Congress\u2019s approval for White House ballroom, DC court rules<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4678389\/anti-abortion-groups-applaud-review-mailing-abortion-drugs\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Anti-abortion groups applaud Blanche review of Biden DOJ policy on mailing abortion drugs<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">FILE \u2013 Journalist Don Lemon, center, exits the U.S. District Courthouse in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo\/Tom Baker, File)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP26147729569172.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Journalist Don Lemon, center, exits the U.S. District Courthouse in St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo\/Tom Baker, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lemon, who has pleaded not guilty, faces charges of conspiring to interfere with religious rights and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, or FACE Act. The law bars force, threats, or physical obstruction intended to interfere with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His lawyers <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.mnd.231106\/gov.uscourts.mnd.231106.611.0_1.pdf\">argued in a 24-page motion<\/a> that he was merely a journalist bearing witness to a matter of public concern. \u201cThe law has long recognized that bearing witness is not the same as taking part,\u201d they wrote, warning that prosecuting journalists for covering criminal conduct would chill reporting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the indictment does not merely accuse Lemon of observing the protest. It alleges he participated in a coordinated intrusion that interrupted parishioners\u2019 worship. The central question is whether Lemon merely reported on the disruption or helped execute it. His presence at the protest blurred the lines between protected newsgathering and alleged participation in the incident in the eyes of the government.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lemon\u2019s motion says Trump\u2019s hostility toward him predates the Minnesota episode and that the administration acted on that animus. Lawyers cited statements by Trump, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Harmeet Dhillon, the Civil Rights Division\u2019s assistant attorney general, arguing that prosecutors are punishing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/first-amendment\/\">First Amendment<\/a>-protected reporting related to Operation Metro Surge.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Separate motions also challenge the government\u2019s legal theory and assert newsgathering protections. Lemon\u2019s lawyers said the government misapplied the statutes, and alleged a case agent falsely portrayed Lemon in sworn affidavits as chanting with demonstrators and obstructing parishioners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4652097\/don-lemon-president-2028-speculation\/\">DON LEMON SAYS HE\u2019S \u2018TOTALLY SERIOUS\u2019 THAT HE WOULD BE \u2018A REALLY GOOD PRESIDENT\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A magistrate judge initially rejected the DOJ\u2019s criminal complaint for lack of probable cause. Prosecutors unsuccessfully asked the Eighth Circuit to intervene before obtaining a grand-jury indictment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lemon\u2019s lawyers said they offered to arrange a self-surrender, but agents instead arrested him at a Los Angeles hotel. They called the arrest punitive and humiliating, and cited a subsequent White House post mocking him, which stated, \u201cWhen life gives you lemons.\u201d The government has not yet responded to Friday\u2019s motions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Don Lemon seeks dismissal over Minnesota church protest case<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2641821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26044738183693.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[71416,36966,32285,5698,4133],"class_list":["post-2641820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-church-protest","tag-don-lemon","tag-legal-case","tag-minnesota","tag-news"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26044738183693.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2641820","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2641820"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2641820\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2641823,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2641820\/revisions\/2641823"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2641821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2641820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2641820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2641820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}