In a recent development, a judge has chosen not to endorse a complaint that sought to charge journalist Don Lemon for his participation in an anti-ICE demonstration held inside a Minnesota church earlier this week. This decision has reportedly left Attorney General Pam Bondi fuming, as she is currently in Minnesota engaged in discussions with federal prosecutors, according to sources who spoke to CNN and CBS News.

The Justice Department had initially aimed to bring charges against Lemon, following the incident where he and numerous anti-ICE demonstrators entered a St. Paul church last Sunday. Lemon, who is known for his previous work with CNN, had livestreamed the event. Federal authorities claimed this action breached the FACE Act, a legislation designed to prevent disruption of religious services. However, the Minnesota magistrate judge declined to sign off on the DOJ’s complaint against Lemon, citing these grounds, as sources revealed.

Despite this setback, a source cautioned CBS that the legal battle concerning Lemon is far from concluded. It was suggested that the DOJ might explore alternative avenues to press charges against him, although specifics were not provided. Meanwhile, another source confirmed that charges have been approved by a magistrate judge for two other protesters: Chauntyll Louisa Allen, who sits on the St. Paul School Board, and Nekima Levy Armstrong, a lawyer based in Minneapolis.

Bondi claimed on X at around 9:30 am that Armstrong helped organize the protest. Armstrong, 49, is being charged with a federal crime under 18 USC 241, a law that prohibits two or more people from conspiring to interfere with constitutionally protected rights, said Homeland Security head Kristi Noem on Thursday. Allen, Armstrong, and Lemon and several others entered the church Sunday after they learned that one of the parish’s pastors leads the local field office for ICE.

The Twin Cities are currently at the center of a massive immigration crackdown. The fatal shooting of 37-year-old protester Renee Good on January 7by an ICE agent has fueled frustration in the community.