Former CNN anchor and veteran journalist Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal authorities Thursday night, according to multiple reports.
The arrest occurred in Los Angeles, where Lemon was reportedly in the city to cover events connected to this weekend’s Grammy Awards, a spokesperson for his legal team confirmed.
Detention follows Minnesota protest coverage
The federal action comes approximately two weeks after Lemon was present at an anti-immigration protest in St. Paul, Minnesota, which disrupted a service at Cities Church.
Law enforcement officials said demonstrators entered the church after discovering that one of the pastors also worked as an official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Lemon was attending the event in his role as an independent journalist.
FBI and Homeland Security involved
Sources familiar with the case told CBS that a federal grand jury was convened on Thursday and that both the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) played roles in the arrest. Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed what charges, if any, Lemon may face.
Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, confirmed the arrest and issued a strong statement criticizing the Justice Department’s handling of the matter.
Attorney cites constitutional protections
Lowell emphasized Lemon’s decades-long career in journalism and argued that his actions were protected under the First Amendment.
“For more than 30 years, Don Lemon has worked as a journalist,” Lowell said. “His reporting activities in Minnesota were no different from the constitutionally protected work he has done throughout his career.”
Lowell added that press freedom is essential, particularly during periods of heightened political and social tension, and said journalists must be allowed to report without fear of retaliation.
Criticism of federal priorities
The attorney also questioned federal authorities’ focus, pointing to the recent deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two protesters who were killed earlier this month in Minnesota.
“Instead of prioritizing a full investigation into those deaths, federal resources are being used to pursue this arrest,” Lowell said, calling the situation a serious concern for civil liberties.
He described the case as an unprecedented challenge to press freedom and stated that Lemon plans to contest the case aggressively in court.
Recent court developments
Court filings indicate that a federal appeals court recently declined to require a lower court judge to approve arrest warrants for five individuals connected to the protest, including Lemon. However, one appellate judge reportedly noted that probable cause existed.
Lemon’s work after CNN
Since leaving CNN in 2023, Lemon has continued working as an independent journalist. He previously explained that he traveled to Minnesota during the protests because of his belief in constitutional principles.
“I believe in the Constitution, especially the First Amendment,” Lemon said at the time. “Journalists should be present to document events of public importance whenever possible.”
Case remains ongoing
Federal officials have not released further details about the investigation, and the legal process is expected to continue in the coming weeks. The case has already sparked renewed discussion around press freedom, federal authority, and the role of journalists in covering protests and public unrest.