Ex-Television Anchor Faces Serious Civil Rights Charges, Including Alleged Violations of Federal Law Protecting Religious Worship
Friday, January 30, 2026, 10:15 A.M. 4 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, & Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,
LOS ANGELES, CA.- Former CNN host Don Lemon was taken into federal custody late Thursday night, just before midnight local time, after a federal grand jury in Minnesota returned an indictment charging him with multiple felony offenses tied to the disruption of a church service earlier this month.
According to law-enforcement officials, Lemon was arrested at a Los Angeles hotel by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, acting on a sealed indictment issued by a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
The arrest followed what prosecutors describe as Lemon’s direct involvement in a January 18, 2026, protest that escalated into an unlawful disruption of religious worship at Cities Church, a Christian church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Federal Charges And Allegations;
While the indictment has not yet been fully unsealed, officials familiar with the case confirmed that Lemon is charged with multiple federal offenses, including:
- Conspiracy to Deprive Civil Rights, alleging participation in coordinated actions that interfered with the constitutional rights of congregants to freely practice their religion without intimidation or obstruction.
- Violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a federal statute that also protects places of worship from obstruction, harassment, or interference.
Federal prosecutors allege that Lemon was not merely a passive observer, but an active participant whose actions contributed to the disruption of a lawful religious service, a distinction central to the government’s case.
Background Of The Incident;
The January 18, 2026, incident occurred when protesters entered Cities Church during a Sunday service, chanting slogans and confronting congregants over the church’s association with a pastor who also serves in a leadership capacity with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Video and livestream footage show Lemon inside the church as the disruption unfolded. Prosecutors contend the footage contradicts claims that Lemon was acting solely as an independent journalist documenting events, noting that his conduct crossed from coverage into participation.
From Complaint Rejection To Grand Jury Indictment;
Earlier this month, a federal magistrate judge declined to approve arrest warrants based on an initial criminal complaint, a procedural setback for prosecutors. However, the Department of Justice subsequently presented the case to a federal grand jury, which returned the indictment that led to Lemon’s arrest.
Three other individuals connected to the same incident have already been arrested and charged on related federal civil-rights counts.
Legal Defense Claims Journalism, Prosecutors Disagree;
Lemon’s attorney issued a statement asserting that his client was engaged in constitutionally protected newsgathering activity and accused the government of criminalizing journalism.
Federal officials, however, maintain that the First Amendment does not shield individuals, including journalists, from prosecution when evidence indicates participation in unlawful acts that infringe on others’ rights.
Legal experts note that federal courts have consistently drawn a firm line between reporting on a protest and materially assisting or engaging in conduct that disrupts lawful assemblies, particularly religious services.
Public Reaction And Broader Implications;
The case has sparked renewed debate over press freedom and accountability, though critics argue that Lemon’s long history as a partisan media figure undermines claims that he was acting as a neutral observer.
Lemon, who was dismissed from CNN in 2023 following repeated controversies, has since attempted to reinvent himself as an independent commentator. His arrest now places him at the center of a high-profile federal prosecution with potentially significant legal consequences.
What Comes Next;
Lemon is expected to make an initial appearance in federal court in Los Angeles before being transferred to Minnesota to face the charges. If convicted, he could face substantial prison time under federal sentencing guidelines.
Editor’s Note:
This report was written and edited by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor & Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on verified law-enforcement sources, court records, and contemporaneous video evidence related to the January 18, 2026, incident. Englebrook Independent News does not presume guilt; however, the seriousness of the federal charges and the nature of the alleged conduct warrant rigorous public scrutiny. This article will be updated as the indictment is unsealed and additional court proceedings occur. — Englebrook Independent News Editorial Board.
