Don Lemon Pleads Not Guilty In Church Charges Case Tied To Minnesota Protest

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Don Lemon, who used to host at CNN, has officially entered a plea of not guilty in federal court. This comes after a video went viral showing a confrontation at a Minnesota church connected to protests against ICE. What began as a trespassing issue is now becoming a larger legal case involving questions about religious freedom, the right to protest, and protections for the media.

Lemon appeared in court Friday following a disruption at St. Paul’s Cities Church. During a live-streamed broadcast, protesters accused the church’s pastor of working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, interrupting a religious service in the process.

Federal prosecutors have accused Lemon of conspiring to violate people’s religious freedom and breaking the FACE Act, a law that can result in fines and imprisonment for anyone who intimidates or blocks access to places of worship.

Lemon pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Judge Signals Phone Could Be Returned — If DHS Is Finished With It

A key issue in the Don Lemon case involves his cellphone. It was taken when he was arrested and is still being held by federal authorities.

His lawyers asked the court to order the return of the device, and the judge suggested the government will likely do so once they finish using it.

The judge stated that if Mr. Lemon’s phone has been taken as evidence and is no longer needed for the case, it should be given back to him.

The prosecutors stated the phone is currently held by Homeland Security. Although they have a warrant to examine it, the detailed forensic analysis is still in progress, so it won’t be released at this time.

This back-and-forth over evidence could be important because Lemon insists he was simply doing his job as a journalist when it happened.

Lemon Claims Journalistic Intent

Lemon has consistently maintained that he was simply reporting on what was happening, not taking part in it, and described being inside the church as part of his job as a journalist.

But his own past remarks about the protest are now being scrutinized.

While livestreaming the invasion, Lemon described the operation in activist terms.

He explained that progress requires challenging the status quo and sometimes making people feel uneasy. He believes that’s a fundamental part of what makes this country strong.

The quote is gaining attention among lawyers and in the news, and it might make it harder for him to argue he was just watching the conflict, not involved in it.

Federal Affidavit Paints Chaotic Scene

According to a federal affidavit, the church disruption went far beyond peaceful protest.

According to investigators, protesters frightened and harassed people attending the church service, including children, and disrupted it to the point where it had to be stopped.

Don Lemon has been visiting churches and questioning pastors about their support for ICE’s deportation of immigrants with criminal records. This has sparked controversy due to the confrontational nature of the visits.

What a pathetic man.

— American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) January 18, 2026

People at the church told police that protesters blocked the stairs to the childcare area, preventing some parents from getting to their children. They also said protesters were blocking the aisles, making it hard to leave the main part of the church, and some were worried the protesters might be carrying weapons.

These details support the government’s claim that the protest went too far and illegally disrupted religious services.

Lemon Frames Case As First Amendment Fight

Even after being charged, Lemon has publicly responded with defiance, framing the legal action as an assault on the freedom of the press, not as a consequence of the protests.

Don Lemon is now saying the previous administration is fabricating stories, and he insists he wasn’t involved in any incident at the church.

During a livestream, Don Lemon said people need to be genuinely frightened, arguing that’s the point of protesting – a statement he made after witnessing children fleeing a church in fear.

— American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) January 19, 2026

Before going to court, Lemon explained that the case wasn’t just about him personally, but about protecting the First Amendment and the freedom of the press.

His lawyers will likely focus on this point in the future, especially when filing paperwork related to the grand jury and arguments over evidence.

High-Profile Legal Defense As Case Moves Forward

Lemon arrived at court with his lawyers, offering a peace sign to the cameras. This suggested he was confident, even with the serious accusations against him.

He has hired well-known lawyers to defend him, and the prosecutors didn’t ask for him to be held in jail before the trial. The court allowed him to be released with the usual conditions while the case moves forward.

I was there when Lemon and several other activists were brought before the court, all of us accused of being involved in organizing the church occupation. We all entered a plea of not guilty, standing together.

A Case With Broader Cultural Implications

This event has sparked a nationwide discussion about several important issues, including the role of activist journalists, the freedom to practice religion, and how far protests can go within religious spaces.

Since his arrest, Lemon’s public presence has likely increased, as seen through more activity on social media, frequent public appearances, and ongoing broadcasts of his show.

But the legal risks remain significant.

Depending on the outcome of the federal case, which involves religious freedom concerns, the consequences could be serious – potentially going beyond just financial penalties. The court’s decision on whether to consider the individual a journalist or someone directly involved will significantly impact the severity of those consequences.

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2026-02-14 19:59