{"id":2642189,"date":"2026-08-08T15:36:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/don-lemon-whines-to-judge-and-blames-trump-in-bid-to-get-indictment-thrown-out\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:41:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:41:54","slug":"don-lemon-whines-to-judge-and-blames-trump-in-bid-to-get-indictment-thrown-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/don-lemon-whines-to-judge-and-blames-trump-in-bid-to-get-indictment-thrown-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Don Lemon Whines to Judge and Blames Trump in Bid to Get Indictment Thrown Out"},"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\">30<\/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-whines-to-judge-and-blames-trump-in-bid-to-get-indictment-thrown-out%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=2642189&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>This article discusses Don Lemon&#8217;s legal challenge to a civil rights indictment related to his participation in a protest at a Minnesota church. Lemon, a former CNN anchor known for his outspoken commentary against President donald Trump, alleges that the charges against him are politically motivated and driven by Trump&#8217;s personal dislikes. His attorneys argue that Lemon&#8217;s actions, including entering the church wiht protesters and livestreaming the event, were protected by the first Amendment. <\/p>\n<p>However, the indictment portrays Lemon as coordinating with protest leaders and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/refugee-answers-i-dont-know-over-150-times-still-granted-asylum-by-judge-who-found-him-credible\/\" title=\"Refugee Answers &#039;I Don&#039;t Know&#039; Over 150 Times, Still Granted Asylum by Judge Who Found Him &#039;Credible&#039;\">deliberately withholding information<\/a>, wich prosecutors interpret as conspiracy against religious freedoms. Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards and faces charges of conspiracy at a place of worship. Critics argue Lemon&#8217;s claims of victimization are unfounded, emphasizing his history of sensationalism, declining media career, and participation in events aimed at maintaining relevance. <\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, the case hinges on whether Lemon&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >actions constitute protected journalistic activity<\/a> or illegal conspiracy, with the outcome to be resolute by the court.  <\/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\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_2)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>This is one spotlight Don Lemon doesn\u2019t like a bit.<\/p>\n<p>The former CNN anchor whose vicious attacks on President Donald Trump have kept him in the public eye for more than a decade is asking a judge to dismiss an indictment against him for his actions surrounding the disruption of a Minnesota <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/don-lemon-charged-civil-rights-crimes-connection-st-paul-church-protest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">church service<\/a> in January.<\/p>\n<p>And his reasoning? He claims he was indicted because Trump doesn\u2019t like him.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Don Lemon asked a judge to dismiss the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-doj-pick-struggles-to-defend-record-on-black-panther-prosecutions\/\" title=\"Biden DOJ Pick Struggles to Defend Record on Black Panther Prosecutions\">civil rights case<\/a> against him, citing years of President Trump\u2019s derisive comments against him.<\/p>\n<p>Lemon was accused of violating congregants\u2019 right to worship when he entered a Minnesota church with protesters. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GHEqGQpAuf\">https:\/\/t.co\/GHEqGQpAuf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/washingtonpost\/status\/2085882439893671949?\">August 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>According to CBS News, Lemon\u2019s attorneys <a href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.mnd.231110\/gov.uscourts.mnd.231110.611.0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">filed papers<\/a> on Friday claiming the Justice Department\u2019s action against him is \u201cvindictive\u201d prosecution based on the president\u2019s personal feelings \u2014 not Lemon\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n<p>His attorneys also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/docket\/72213271\/609\/united-states-v-levy-armstrong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">filed a motion<\/a> claiming Lemon\u2019s behavior during the Jan. 18 storming of Cities Church in St. Paul was protected by the First Amendment\u2019s guarantee of freedom of the press, and that he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/docket\/72213271\/609\/united-states-v-levy-armstrong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">never crossed the line<\/a> between reporter and participant in the action.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net\/static\/2026\/01\/CASE-026-cr-00025-LMP-DLM.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">indictment<\/a> against Lemon paints a very different picture, however.<\/p>\n<p>It describes how Lemon allegedly coordinated his activities with the leaders of the protest, deliberately keeping the target of the action under wraps while livestreaming preparations for it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re going to head to the operation,\u201d Lemon told his audience, according to the indictment. \u201cAgain, we\u2019re not going to give any, any of the information away.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>To a government prosecutor, words like that sound an awful lot like conspiracy. And in fact, Lemon is charged with \u201cConspiracy Against Right of Religious Freedom at Place of Worship.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He was arrested while in Los Angeles to cover the Grammy awards in late January \u2014 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/don-lemon-recounts-arrest-experience-jimmy-kimmel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">treated like a hero<\/a> by the libs just as you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n<p>Americans have a right to different opinions on the freedom of the press that\u2019s enshrined in the United States Constitution. And all criminal defendants, including Lemon, have a right to challenge their prosecutions on any legal grounds that will help their case.<\/p>\n<p>But none of that includes the right to insult the intelligence of the American people.<\/p>\n<p>And Lemon\u2019s complaint that his federal prosecution is simply driven by the president\u2019s ire is an insult to the nation\u2019s intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>To review the actual facts of the case, Lemon was involved in the early stages of the demonstration at Cities Church, to the point where he knew the target of the disruption ahead of time and deliberately withheld it from his internet audience so it would not be hindered if law enforcement caught wind of it.<\/p>\n<p>At the church itself, he was part of the crew that entered the building and disrupted an ongoing religious service to make a political point. (A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/pastor-cities-church-speaks-don-lemons-arrest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">pastor at the church<\/a> was a leader in a local office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.)<\/p>\n<p>And he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-unhinged-don-lemon-chases-elderly-christian-snow-church-attack-done\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">personally badgered<\/a> at least one member of the congregation as well as the service\u2019s leader with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/unbelievable-don-lemon-lectures-pastor-christianity-anti-ice-rioters-storm-church-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">propaganda questions<\/a> aimed at boosting the protesters\u2019 profile.<\/p>\n<p>Whether any and all of that rises to the level of a punishable crime is up to the court system to decide.<\/p>\n<p>But Lemon\u2019s argument that he\u2019s being targeted for \u201cvindictive\u201d prosecution can be dismissed out of hand.<\/p>\n<p>Does Trump dislike Lemon? While no one can truly look into the heart of another, it\u2019s a good bet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/trump-attacks-don-lemon-dumbest-man-television\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">that he doesn\u2019t<\/a>. And he\u2019s got good reason.<\/p>\n<p>Like a malicious parasite feeding on its host, Lemon used the years of Trump\u2019s dominance over American politics to carve out his own second-rate career acting as a mouthpiece for the millions of misguided Americans who have swallowed the establishment media\u2019s anti-Trump propaganda.<\/p>\n<p>Should the criminal case against Lemon be dismissed because of that?<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a childish proposition \u2014 the way a second-grader in trouble for talking in class will claim it\u2019s only because \u201cthe teacher doesn\u2019t like me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s entirely possible that the teacher doesn\u2019t like the kid, but that\u2019s not why he\u2019s staying after school.<\/p>\n<p>And the fact is that Don Lemon spent Trump\u2019s first term enjoying a fame his journalistic career didn\u2019t merit. (It\u2019s not a coincidence that Lemon lost his primetime spot at CNN <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/media\/cnn-shakeup-don-lemon-moved-primetime-mornings-struggling-new-day-replaced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in 2022<\/a>, after Trump was out of the White House.)<\/p>\n<p>The fact is that Lemon washed out of his morning show at CNN because he was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/atrocious-ratings-arent-thing-don-lemon-struggling-cnn-morning-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">attracting no viewers<\/a> and causing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/cnn-turmoil-2-hosts-missing-show-day-lemon-makes-offensive-comment-toward-women\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">distracting scandals<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>(Lemon\u2019s buffoonery was almost enough to make a conservative feel sorry for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/hilarious-video-lemons-ex-co-hosts-couldnt-given-quicker-happier-goodbye-don\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kaitlan Collins<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>And the fact is, he was fired from CNN for his own failures as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/breaking-don-lemon-announces-fired-cnn-following-brutal-ratings-scandals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">television personality<\/a>. Now, he\u2019s reduced to a show on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@TheDonLemonShow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, a far, far cry from the national spotlight he used to have \u2014 and evidently still craves.<\/p>\n<p>(His <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/even-stelter-admits-don-lemon-clearly-knew-something-going-cities-church-disruption\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">participation<\/a> in the St. Paul protest was an obvious stab at remaining relevant.)<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately for Lemon, that relevance comes with the spotlight of a criminal prosecution \u2014 and that\u2019s a consequence for his actions he\u2019s trying to avoid at all costs.<\/p>\n<p>But he brought it on himself, and even livestreamed it himself.<\/p>\n<p>He might not appreciate the attention it got. But it\u2019s not Trump\u2019s fault.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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