Don Lemon scored an early legal win after a federal magistrate judge rejected the Justice Department’s initial effort to charge him following a chaotic protest in Minnesota.
The proposed charges stemmed from Lemon’s presence at an anti Immigration and Customs Enforcement demonstration that spilled into Cities Church in St. Paul during a Sunday service. Lemon, a former CNN anchor who now works independently, has insisted he was there strictly in a reporting capacity.
“I’m just here photographing, I’m not part of the group,” he said in video footage he later shared online. “I’m a journalist.”
The attempted charges sparked controversy, as prosecuting a working reporter is highly uncommon and raises First Amendment concerns. Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, praised the judge’s decision, calling it confirmation that Lemon was engaged in protected journalistic activity.
“It was no different than what he has done for more than 30 years,” Lowell said, adding that Lemon would “fight any charges vigorously” if prosecutors try again.
A source said Attorney General Pam Bondi was angered by the ruling and has spent days in Minnesota meeting with federal prosecutors. The Justice Department has argued that Lemon had no right to be on private property and may have disrupted worship.
The incident comes amid escalating unrest in Minneapolis tied to immigration enforcement actions.