Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in connection with his presence at a protest in a Minnesota church against the Trump administration's immigration efforts. Department of Justice officials had publicly vowed to bring charges against Lemon, who has vocally criticized the Trump administration, over his presence at a protest at the church. Lemon, an independent reporter who hosts "The Don Lemon Show" on YouTube, has said he was reporting on the protest against immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities. In Friday's statement, Lowell called Lemon's arrest an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment" and a "transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration." CNN, from which Lemon was fired in 2023, said in a statement that Lemon's arrest "raises profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment."

Source: CNN January 30, 2026 18:06 UTC