Hollywood has been abuzz following the arrest of Don Lemon, who was detained on Friday due to his involvement in a protest that interrupted a church service in Minnesota.
The former CNN anchor was apprehended by federal agents in Los Angeles, linked to a demonstration that took place in January at a church in St. Paul. Lemon maintains that he was present in his capacity as a journalist covering the event.
Lemon faces charges of conspiring to infringe on others’ civil rights and violating the FACE Act, accused of obstructing access to a place of worship. His legal representative has criticized the charges, describing them as an ‘unprecedented attack on the First Amendment.’
The arrest has sparked widespread indignation throughout the entertainment industry.
Among the voices expressing outrage was Bravo’s Andy Cohen, who highlighted the serious issue of accountability by referencing the fatal shootings of Minnesota protesters Renee Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti.
“They arrested Don and not the guys who murdered protesters?” Cohen tweeted, underscoring the controversy surrounding the priorities of law enforcement.
Andy Cohen and other celebs weighed in after Don Lemonwas arrested Friday in connection with a protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota; (Cohen in 2025)
Lemon was taken into custody by federal agentsin Los Angelesover his role in a January demonstration at a St. Paul church, which he insists he was covering as a journalist
Actor Josh Gad added a fiery take, warning that authorities are pushing citizens too far.
‘What’s the BREAKING POINT? They want you to be a frog in boiling water. When people are arrested for First Amendment protected activity or shot execution style for exercising their Second Amendment rights, it’s time to STOP being a frog & start being an enraged citizen who says “NO. F*** THIS. I will not remain idle,”‘ he wrote on X.
Kathy Griffin chimed in, ‘Do you guys really, really get it? It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat, Republican or just a hater, it’s dangerous for YOU that Don Lemon and OTHER journalists have been ARRESTED.’
Billy Baldwin posted simply, ‘Free Don Lemon.’
Newscaster Jemele Hill called the arrest ‘horrifying’ and emphasized that it transcends political or professional lines.
‘They arrested Don Lemon. This is horrifying. I don’t care what your political beliefs or leanings are, what journalism outlet you represent, this absolutely cannot stand.’
Some voices sided with the authorities, however.
Megyn Kelly tweeted: ‘For those saying this is criminalizing journalism, journalists don’t get a pass when breaking the law just bc they have a mic.
‘If I accompanied ppl storming an abortion clinic harassing/scaring/“traumatizing” the crying women while saying “But I’m a reporter!” I would absolutely have been charged under any Dem admin.’
Billy Baldwin posted simply, ‘Free Don Lemon’; (pictured 2024)
Kathy Griffin chimed in, ‘Do you guys really, really get it? It doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat, Republican or just a hater, it’s dangerous for YOU that Don Lemon and OTHER journalists have been ARRESTED’
The arrest quickly ignited outrage across Tinseltown
Actor James Woods added a meme, captioning it: ‘As you all know, I started this whole thing when I called arrestee Don Lemon a “dingleberry on the ass of American journalism” on @MegynKellyShow.’
Lemon and three others were taken into custody Friday after a protest at a Minnesota church opposing immigration enforcement, an event that stirred tension between local residents and federal authorities.
Federal agents arrested Lemon in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards, according to his lawyer Lowell.
Details about the exact charges against Lemon and the others involved in the Jan. 18 demonstration at Cities Church in St. Paul – pastored by a local ICE official – remain unclear.
Lemon, who was let go from CNN in 2023, has insisted he had no ties to the group that entered the church, emphasising he was reporting on the protest as a journalist.
‘Don has spent 30 years reporting, and his work in Minneapolis was no different,’ Lowell said. ‘The First Amendment protects journalists exposing the truth and holding those in power accountable.’
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests on social media, naming Lemon along with Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy.
‘At my direction, federal agents took these individuals into custody this morning in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church,’ she wrote.
A magistrate previously denied prosecutors’ initial effort to press charges against him, but Lemon warned on his show that authorities might try again
Since leaving CNN, Lemon has built a career posting content independently on YouTube, often openly criticising former President Donald Trump.
Yet during his coverage at the church, he repeatedly stressed, ‘I’m not here as an activist. I’m here as a journalist,’ reporting on the scene and speaking with both churchgoers and demonstrators.
A magistrate previously denied prosecutors’ initial effort to press charges against him, but Lemon warned on his show that authorities might try again.
‘And guess what?’ he said. ‘Here I am. Keep trying. That won’t stop me from doing my job. It won’t silence my voice. Go ahead – make me the new Jimmy Kimmel if you want. I’m not going anywhere.’
