Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was taken into federal custody Thursday night in Los Angeles as part of a federal investigation into conduct that authorities have described as an invasion of a St. Paul church worship service, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge who spoke to CBS News.
Sources said a federal grand jury was empaneled earlier Thursday. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations were involved in the arrest. Charges, if any, had not been publicly announced.
Federal officials have treated the underlying conduct as more than a protest, alleging that individuals entered a church during an active worship service and interfered with congregants’ free exercise of religion, a right protected under federal law.
Background on the Church Invasion
The Dallas Express previously published reporting on arrests tied to the Cities Church case in St. Paul, Minnesota.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi characterized the events as a coordinated attack on a place of worship when announcing earlier arrests.
“So far, we have arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,” Bondi said. “Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.”
The U.S. Department of Justice has said the incident is being pursued as a potential civil-rights violation involving unlawful interference with the free exercise of religion.
Multiple individuals have already been arrested in connection with the case.
Last week, a federal appellate court declined to compel a lower court judge to sign arrest warrants for five additional individuals, including Lemon. One judge on the panel said he believed probable cause existed to justify the arrests, according to court filings.
Defense Response
Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, confirmed his client was taken into custody by federal agents while in Los Angeles, where Lemon was covering this weekend’s Grammy Awards.
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” Lowell said in a statement. “The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”
Lowell criticized the Justice Department for focusing on Lemon rather than investigating the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota, calling that decision “the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case.”
“This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand,” Lowell said, adding that Lemon would fight the charges “vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Federal Case Continues
As of Friday morning, prosecutors had not announced charges against Lemon. Federal officials have said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities evaluate potential violations tied to the alleged invasion of the church and interference with religious freedom.
