Overnight in Los Angeles, journalist Lemon found himself in handcuffs alongside another independent journalist and two protestors who were detained in Minnesota. This series of arrests has sparked widespread condemnation from both media advocates and civil rights leaders.

Lemon, undeterred by his arrest, emphatically stated, “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now.” He continued, stressing the essential role of the media, particularly at this moment, as a guardian of truth and a check on power.

Criticism has been swift and vocal. Among the detractors is Rev. Al Sharpton, who accused the Trump administration of taking a “sledgehammer” to the foundational principles of the First Amendment. The defense of these freedoms is seen as paramount, especially under current political pressures.

The charges against Lemon and others stem from a grand jury indictment in Minnesota. They face accusations of conspiracy and interference with First Amendment rights following a protest on January 18 at the Cities Church in St. Paul. Notably, a pastor at this church holds a position with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In a Los Angeles courtroom, Assistant US Attorney Alexander Robbins argued for a significant bond of $143,000, equivalent to $100,000 US. Robbins contended that Lemon had “knowingly joined a mob that stormed into a church,” emphasizing the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the incident.

In court in Los Angeles, Assistant US Attorney Alexander Robbins argued for a $143,000 ($US100,000) bond, telling a judge that Lemon “knowingly joined a mob that stormed into a church.”

He was released, however, without having to post money and was granted permission to travel to France in June while the case is pending.

Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski said Lemon plans to plead not guilty and fight the charges in Minnesota.

Lemon, who was fired from CNN in 2023 following a bumpy run as a morning host, has said he has no affiliation to the organisation that went into the church and he was there as a solo journalist chronicling protesters.

“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement earlier on Friday.

Attorney General Pam Bondi promoted the arrests on social media.

“Make no mistake. Under President Trump’s leadership and this administration, you have the right to worship freely and safely,” Bondi said in a video posted online.

“And if I haven’t been clear already, if you violate that sacred right, we are coming after you.”

Since he left CNN, Lemon has joined the legion of journalists who have gone into business for himself, posting regularly on YouTube.

He hasn’t hidden his disdain for President Donald Trump. Yet during his online show from the church, he said repeatedly: “I’m not here as an activist. I’m here as a journalist.”

He described the scene before him, and interviewed churchgoers and demonstrators.

A magistrate judge last week rejected prosecutors’ initial bid to charge Lemon. Shortly after, he predicted on his show that the administration would try again.

“And guess what,” he said.

“Here I am. Keep trying. That’s not going to stop me from being a journalist. That’s not going to diminish my voice. Go ahead, make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel, if you want. Just do it. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

Georgia Fort livestreamed the moments before her arrest, telling viewers that agents were at her door and her First Amendment right as a journalist was being diminished.

A judge released Fort, Trahern Crews and Jamael Lundy on bond, rejecting the Justice Department’s attempt to keep them in custody.

Not guilty pleas were entered. Fort’s supporters in the courtroom clapped and whooped.

“It’s a sinister turn of events in this country,” Fort’s attorney, Kevin Riach, said in court.

Jane Kirtley, a media law and ethics expert at the University of Minnesota, said the federal laws cited by the government were not intended to apply to reporters gathering news.

The charges against Lemon and Fort, she said, are “pure intimidation and government overreach.”

Some experts and activists said the charges were not only an attack on press freedoms but also a strike against Black Americans who count on Black journalists to bear witness to injustice and oppression.

The National Association of Black Journalists said it was “outraged and deeply alarmed” by Lemon’s arrest.

The group called it an effort to “criminalize and threaten press freedom under the guise of law enforcement.”

Crews is a leader of Black Lives Matter Minnesota who has led many protests and actions for racial justice, particularly following George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis in 2020.

“All the greats have been to jail, MLK, Malcom X — people who stood up for justice get attacked,” Crews told The Associated Press. “We were just practicing our First Amendment rights.”

Protesters charged previously

A prominent civil rights attorney and two other people involved in the protest were arrested last week. Prosecutors have accused them of civil rights violations for disrupting the Cities Church service.

The Justice Department launched an investigation after the group interrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.

Lundy works for the office of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and is married to a St. Paul City Council member. Lemon briefly interviewed him as they gathered with protesters preparing to drive to the church on January 18.

“I feel like it’s important that if you’re going to be representing people in office that you are out here with the people,” Lundy told Lemon, adding he believed in “direct action, certainly within the lines of the law.”

Church leaders praise arrests in protest

Cities Church belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention and lists one of its pastors as David Easterwood, who leads ICE’s St. Paul field office.

“We are grateful that the Department of Justice acted swiftly to protect Cities Church so that we can continue to faithfully live out the church’s mission to worship Jesus and make him known,” lead pastor Jonathan Parnell said.

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