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Don Lemon arrested by federal authorities after protest a...

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a Friday post on X that Lemon was arrested in addition to three other journalists "in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

I don't know much about this, but was he there legitimately as a journalist or was he there as a protester posing as a journalist?

Unreal.

Edited January 30Jan 30 by BrickHorn

1 minute ago, BrickHorn said:

“There is no such thing as a stupid question” is such a fucking lie.

Why?

Who gives a shit, nothing gonna happen for pissing people off at church. But the guy that tried to turn Omar into a Claussen Dill is heading to jail.

2 minutes ago, Ojo Rojo said:

Why?

Overruled

5 minutes ago, Hard Times said:

Who gives a shit, nothing gonna happen for pissing people off at church. But the guy that tried to turn Omar into a Claussen Dill is heading to jail.

Getting arrested for pissing people off at church is clearly fucking something.

12 minutes ago, Hard Times said:

Who gives a shit, nothing gonna happen for pissing people off at church. But the guy that tried to turn Omar into a Claussen Dill is heading to jail.

Those Bible Church goers are the most fragile of snowflakes, as apparently they believe hearing the red letter words of Jesus is an attack.

11 minutes ago, Hank Kingsley said:

You've had to use this a lot lately.....

Classic ojo shit right there.

the tmz guy nails it:

• 
• TMZ @TMZ

🚨 Don Lemon has been arrested. Could this change democracy forever?

• 3:40 PM · Jan 30, 2026

46 minutes ago, Ojo Rojo said:

Why?

B/c in neither of your two scenarios is a federal arrest warranted.

Yeah, if you wanted to arrest these people, the worst you could do is some sort of "disorderly conduct" or maybe a noise violation. But those are all local municipal type misdemeanors that would have to be done by the state police, not the Feds. The fact that the Justice Department is worrying about this and got a Grand Jury together in about a week, while the ICE agent that murdered Renee Good gets no investigation is a travesty and a miscarriage of justice. it should be completely indefensible to anyone with a slightly functional brain.

I also suspect that for Don Lemon at least there was probably prosecutorial misconduct that tainted the grand jury process, same as we saw by Halligan for Comey.

Edited January 30Jan 30 by Dahobbs

I like Don Lemon but I'm not really sure it was a good idea for anyone to protest within a church or going inside of it to report what was happening. That being said, I don't see how this is a matter for the feds.

2 minutes ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

I like Don Lemon but I'm not really sure it was a good idea for anyone to protest within a church or going inside of it to report what was happening. That being said, I don't see how this is a matter for the feds.

You'll have to explain how "not begin a good idea" makes it a crime.

20 minutes ago, Dahobbs said:

I also suspect that for Don Lemon at least there was probably prosecutorial misconduct that tainted the grand jury process, same as we saw by Halligan for Comey.

If anyone is not aware, DOJ tried to arrest all of these people on the basis of criminal complaints, which is a precursor to an indictment and is based on the affidavit of an LEO.

The magistrate judge refused to sign the criminal complaints against Lemon and several others because criminal conduct was not alleged to probable cause standard and as to Lemon because his actions were protected by the First Amendment.

DOJ then tried to appeal that to the Chief District Judge, and when he didn't immediately do it, appealed by mandamus to the 8th Circuit. They got shot down at every turn because their real "remedy" was to go before a grand jury for an indictment, which seems to be what happened. And their "urgency," the irreparable harm, was absurd.

Although a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich, recently we have seen them giving the side eye to these bullshitty indictments. And I'm pretty surprised they didn't here, too.

I'm in favor of protests and protestors. I'm in favor of giving them the benefit of the doubt as to any potential criminal charges short of actual unprovoked assault (with more than a sandwich) and even short of a lot of incidental property damage, as long as it isn't rank vandalism.

A white Baptist church with an ICE agent for a pastor deserves a protest. Fucking 24/7 outside the church.

That said, I'm not sure it's a great idea to actually go inside that church. It is private property and may be inviting legal trouble that unnecessarily detracts from the validity of the protest.

It may be the trespass onto private property that got the grand jury to act. Especially as to Lemon, though, I think it is likely that the prosecutors heavily shaded the facts if not engaging in outright misconduct.

Edited January 30Jan 30 by TwiceHorn

1 minute ago, TwiceHorn said:

If anyone is not aware, DOJ tried to arrest all of these people on the basis of criminal complaints, which is a precursor to an indictment and is based on the affidavit of an LEO.

The magistrate judge refused to sign the criminal complaints against Lemon and several others because criminal conduct was not alleged to probable cause standard and as to Lemon because his actions were protected by the First Amendment.

DOJ then tried to appeal that to the Chief District Judge, and when he didn't immediately do it, appealed by mandamus to the 8th Circuit. They got shot down at every turn because their real "remedy" was to go before a grand jury for an indictment, which seems to be what happened. And their "urgency," the irreparable harm, was absurd.

Although a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich, recently we have seen them giving the side eye to these bullshitty indictments. And I'm pretty surprised they didn't here, too.

I'm in favor of protests and protestors. I'm in favor of giving them the benefit of the doubt as to any potential criminal charges short of actual unprovoked assault (with more than a sandwich) and even short of a lot of incidental property damage, as long as it isn't rank vandalism.

A white Baptist church with an ICE agent for a pastor deserves a protest. Fucking 24/7 outside the church.

That said, I'm not sure it's a great idea to actually go inside that church. It is private property and may be inviting legal trouble that unnecessarily detracts from the validity of the protest.

While private property, it is also open to the public. A protest inside seems perfectly legitimate to me until you're asked to leave and refuse.

1 hour ago, Derka said:

the tmz guy nails it:

• 
• TMZ @TMZ

🚨 Don Lemon has been arrested. Could this change democracy forever?

• 3:40 PM · Jan 30, 2026

Is he no longer MAGA? He used to be and was campaigning for him vs Hillary.

Lemon wasn’t the only journalist the grand jury indicted from this protest. Georgia Fort has also been indicted, and arrested.

https://www.startribune.com/journalists-georgia-fort-don-lemon-arrested-over-protest-during-st-paul-church-service/601573975

19 minutes ago, Dahobbs said:

You'll have to explain how "not begin a good idea" makes it a crime.

I never claimed it was a crime.

Any pastor who works for ICE is a piece of shit and deserves way worse things to happen to him. Amen

9 minutes ago, Dahobbs said:

While private property, it is also open to the public. A protest inside seems perfectly legitimate to me until you're asked to leave and refuse.

Yeah, that's definitely an issue. I'm just vaguely queasy about it.

The civil rights charge is so absurd, even though it may fit the literal crime defined by the statute.

I have such mixed feelings about criminal statutes that are intended to address a certain situation, but may be used outside of that situation by bad actors or otherwise.

1 hour ago, dieucla98 said:

B/c in neither of your two scenarios is a federal arrest warranted.

Totally, 100% agree. I'm just trying to figure out which constitutional rights were violated here. To me, arresting members of the press for covering a protest event is more serious than arresting the protestors themselves.

19 minutes ago, Ted Lange said:

Is he no longer MAGA? He used to be and was campaigning for him vs Hillary.

• 
• TMZ @TMZ

🚨 Don Lemon has been arrested. Could this change democracy forever?

• 3:40 PM · Jan 30, 2026

i don’t know, but he’s a reporter, and the do not fuck around when it comes to 1A.

1 hour ago, wildcat09 said:

Classic ojo shit right there.

Fuck you, putain.

Here is the Criminal Complaint against Nekima Armstrong, which the magistrate did sign off on 10 days ago, resulting in her arrest.

It is mostly the affidavit of an ICE officer, Timothy Gerber. You have to read between the lines a bit for the allegations against Lemon, but this probably constitutes the same, or a variation of the evidence provided to the grand jury. And is a one-sided account of what happened.

USA v Nekima Valdez Levy-Armstrong Complaint

The pertinent parts start at paragraph 5, and the Lemon allegations are fairly obvious.

It appears that Lemon kind of misstates the law in that he seems to think that protestors can protest anywhere and that's not strictly true.

I didn't catch it the first time, but in addition to the Anti-Klan statute they're accused of violating, the second is a statute designed to protect abortion clinics against protests blocking access.

Fucking ironic.

2 hours ago, Hard Times said:

But the guy that tried to turn Omar into a Claussen Dill is heading to jail.

Inshallah!

58 minutes ago, Ojo Rojo said:

Totally, 100% agree. I'm just trying to figure out which constitutional rights were violated here. To me, arresting members of the press for covering a protest event is more serious than arresting the protestors themselves.

That's why I said who gives a shit. Nothing going to happen. Charges will be dismissed. I don't get my panties in a wad over something so stupid, but apparently some people do.

3 hours ago, Ojo Rojo said:

I don't know much about this, but was he there legitimately as a journalist or was he there as a protester posing as a journalist?

When anti-gay evangelical rightwingers protested my chuch nobody went to jail. They didn't invade the sanctuary though. They would have been physically resisted if they tried and likely arrested also.

Edited January 30Jan 30 by Bozo_Casanova

Just now, Hard Times said:

That's why I said who gives a shit. Nothing going to happen. Charges will be dismissed. I don't get my panties in a wad over something so stupid, but apparently some people do.

Agree that charges against Lemon, at least, are pretty likely to be dismissed, so we end up in the same place either way.

But Lemon is employing Abbe Lowell to represent him, at no doubt significant cost, which he can afford I'm sure. And apparently was jailed overnight.

This does have a chilling effect on other reporters who dare to buck the regime. And other citizens who are less able to defend themselves.

3 hours ago, Ojo Rojo said:

I don't know much about this, but was he there legitimately as a journalist or was he there as a protester posing as a journalist?

I'll take "False Dichotomies From Dipshits" for one thousand, Alex.

4 minutes ago, Hard Times said:

That's why I said who gives a shit. Nothing going to happen. Charges will be dismissed. I don't get my panties in a wad over something so stupid, but apparently some people do.

So, as I understand it, you think it would be no big deal or harm to you to get arrested today and have to spend at least one night in jail, is that correct?

1 minute ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

When anti-gay evangelicals protested my chuch nobody went to jail

Curious, did they come inside? Were they asked to leave? Did they leave when asked?

I have never really considered a protest that invaded private property, as opposed to government property. Kind of trying to wrap my head around it.

3 hours ago, Ojo Rojo said:

I don't know much about this, but was he there legitimately as a journalist or was he there as a protester posing as a journalist?

Which of those things is a crime?

1 minute ago, Dahobbs said:

So, as I understand it, you think it would be no big deal or harm to you to get arrested today and have to spend at least one night in jail, is that correct?

With the attention and publicity I would get I think it would be kinda cool. Probably be able to make some $ telling reporters my story.

Just now, Hard Times said:

With the attention and publicity I would get I think it would be kinda cool. Probably be able to make some $ telling reporters my story.

I truly hope you're arrested tonight then and have to defend yourself against criminal charges. Good luck with making money off of that.

Just now, hobbes2702 said:

Which of those things is a crime?

To give you a realistic answer, as Dahobbs noted, a church is probably quasi-private kind of like a business, customers/worshippers and potential customers/worshippers are "invited" on the property for those purposes, at least. That invitation can be revoked simply by asking them to leave.

If they don't leave, it's a trespass. Might even apply to a reporter reporting.

So, there's your crime, usually a lowest- or second-lowest misdemeanor offense punishable by fine. A traffic ticket in the overall criminal scheme.

Federal civil rights and abortion clinic crimes are certainly more dubious.

2 minutes ago, Hard Times said:

With the attention and publicity I would get I think it would be kinda cool. Probably be able to make some $ telling reporters my story.

Friendly legal advice, this post will be used against you if you try and sue for damages for wrongful arrest/civil rights violation.

1 hour ago, TwiceHorn said:

If anyone is not aware, DOJ tried to arrest all of these people on the basis of criminal complaints, which is a precursor to an indictment and is based on the affidavit of an LEO.

The magistrate judge refused to sign the criminal complaints against Lemon and several others because criminal conduct was not alleged to probable cause standard and as to Lemon because his actions were protected by the First Amendment.

DOJ then tried to appeal that to the Chief District Judge, and when he didn't immediately do it, appealed by mandamus to the 8th Circuit. They got shot down at every turn because their real "remedy" was to go before a grand jury for an indictment, which seems to be what happened. And their "urgency," the irreparable harm, was absurd.

Although a grand jury will indict a ham sandwich, recently we have seen them giving the side eye to these bullshitty indictments. And I'm pretty surprised they didn't here, too.

I'm in favor of protests and protestors. I'm in favor of giving them the benefit of the doubt as to any potential criminal charges short of actual unprovoked assault (with more than a sandwich) and even short of a lot of incidental property damage, as long as it isn't rank vandalism.

A white Baptist church with an ICE agent for a pastor deserves a protest. Fucking 24/7 outside the church.

That said, I'm not sure it's a great idea to actually go inside that church. It is private property and may be inviting legal trouble that unnecessarily detracts from the validity of the protest.

It may be the trespass onto private property that got the grand jury to act. Especially as to Lemon, though, I think it is likely that the prosecutors heavily shaded the facts if not engaging in outright misconduct.

Just a reminder that property matters more than humanity in our system.

1 minute ago, TwiceHorn said:

To give you a realistic answer, as Dahobbs noted, a church is probably quasi-private kind of like a business, customers/worshippers and potential customers/worshippers are "invited" on the property for those purposes, at least. That invitation can be revoked simply by asking them to leave.

If they don't leave, it's a trespass. Might even apply to a reporter reporting.

So, there's your crime, usually a lowest- or second-lowest misdemeanor offense punishable by fine. A traffic ticket in the overall criminal scheme.

Federal civil rights and abortion clinic crimes are certainly more dubious.

Since when can you be arrested for trespassing after the fact without a do not trespass being issued? I understand it’s private property but it’s open to the public.

I’ve had plenty of people issued do not trespass. They were not later arrested unless they came back.

Just now, TwiceHorn said:

Curious, did they come inside? Were they asked to leave? Did they leave when asked?

I have never really considered a protest that invaded private property, as opposed to government property. Kind of trying to wrap my head around it.

It was Westboro so they were well organized and very collaborative about the whole thing since it's all about the publicity for them. They told us in advance they were coming, showed up on time for the agreed upon interval, stayed off the property, and left promptly when they said they would. They didn't even leave any trash behind.

What Westboro does is kind of a joke in my opinion. A protest is like satire - it needs to draw a little blood to be effective. It needs real risk (ie physical, legal, reputational or other) and needs to put the protesters in some sort of harm's way or it's just the political version of praying loudly on the street.

Edited January 30Jan 30 by Bozo_Casanova

1 minute ago, Dahobbs said:

Friendly legal advice, this post will be used against you if you try and sue for damages for wrongful arrest/civil rights violation.

To be honest, I don't plan on going to a protest where there's agents who shouldn't be trusted with a water pistol.

24 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

Here is the Criminal Complaint against Nekima Armstrong, which the magistrate did sign off on 10 days ago, resulting in her arrest.

It is mostly the affidavit of an ICE officer, Timothy Gerber. You have to read between the lines a bit for the allegations against Lemon, but this probably constitutes the same, or a variation of the evidence provided to the grand jury. And is a one-sided account of what happened.

USA v Nekima Valdez Levy-Armstrong Complaint

The pertinent parts start at paragraph 5, and the Lemon allegations are fairly obvious.

It appears that Lemon kind of misstates the law in that he seems to think that protestors can protest anywhere and that's not strictly true.

I didn't catch it the first time, but in addition to the Anti-Klan statute they're accused of violating, the second is a statute designed to protect abortion clinics against protests blocking access.

Fucking ironic.

lol You try so hard to fit in that you have just become a toad. The statute in question is for both reproductive clinics and places of religious worship. What exactly is the irony? Nobody stretched the charges. The statute is perfectly plain. Anyone can look up the FACE Act for themselves

The protestors will get tried or, more likely, agree to a fine. I don’t think anyone should go to jail but people did prison time for far less protesting at abortion clinics.

The Don Lemon angle is interesting. The idiot videotaped himself before the protest and admitted coordinating with the protest leader. Actually called her by name. Said he knew where they were going and what they planned to do (including disguising themselves as MAGA). The law has been pretty clear that journalists can receive/report on illegal activities as long as they do not participate. It’s gets grey when Lemon knows a crime is about to be committed and then actually enters the church. Had he stayed outside he would be free and clear. I doubt his charges amount to much in the end but this could be a test case.

Just now, sheeeit said:

lol You try so hard to fit in that you have just become a toad. The statute in question is for both reproductive clinics and places of religious worship. What exactly is the irony? Nobody stretched the charges. The statute is perfectly plain. Anyone can look up the FACE Act for themselves

The protestors will get tried or, more likely, agree to a fine. I don’t think anyone should go to jail but people did prison time for far less protesting at abortion clinics.

The Don Lemon angle is interesting. The idiot videotaped himself before the protest and admitted coordinating with the protest leader. Actually called her by name. Said he knew where they were going and what they planned to do (including disguising themselves as MAGA). The law has been pretty clear that journalists can receive/report on illegal activities as long as they do not participate. It’s gets grey when Lemon knows a crime is about to be committed and then actually enters the church. Had he stayed outside he would be free and clear. I doubt his charges amount to much in the end but this could be a test case.

Going into a church isn't a crime.

Edited January 30Jan 30 by Dahobbs

Maybe it should be

Just now, Ghost of NMAS said:

Maybe it should be

3 minutes ago, Ghost of NMAS said:

Maybe it should be

at least if you're under 18 it should be

3 hours ago, Dahobbs said:

Getting arrested for pissing people off at church is clearly fucking something.

Jokes on them, they are all going to hell anyways