Fact Check: Claims of Don Lemon’s Arrest and Attorney’s Statement Examined

Federal Agents Arrest Don Lemon Amid Escalating Tensions in Minneapolis-St. Paul

Federal agents arrested independent journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon in Los Angeles on January 29, 2026, according to a statement from his attorney, Abbe Lowell. The arrest comes amid heightened tensions and protests in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents.

Lowell confirmed that Lemon was taken into custody while covering the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. In the statement, which was shared across Lemon’s official social media accounts, Lowell defended the journalist’s work as constitutionally protected.

“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 stated. “The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”

The arrest appears connected to Lemon’s reporting on a January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators interrupted Sunday services to protest the pastor’s role as leader of the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office. Federal authorities had previously made several arrests related to the demonstration.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests of Lemon, independent journalist Georgia Fort, and activists Trahern Crews and Jamael Lundy in a post on social media platform X on January 30. This action marks an escalation in the federal response to the Minnesota protests.

The tensions in the Twin Cities area have intensified following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. citizens who were fatally shot during separate encounters with federal immigration officers. These incidents have sparked widespread outrage and demonstrations against the increased presence of federal agents in the region.

Lowell’s statement criticized the Justice Department’s priorities, saying, “Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case.”

This isn’t the first time authorities have attempted to charge Lemon in connection with the Cities Church protest. A federal judge previously rejected prosecutors’ initial bid to bring charges against the journalist. Lowell described the current action as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration.”

The arrest of a high-profile journalist like Lemon has raised significant concerns about press freedom and the treatment of reporters covering politically sensitive events. Media advocacy groups have increasingly voiced concerns about the safety of journalists covering protests and immigration enforcement actions across the country.

According to reports from NBC News and The Guardian, daily life in Minneapolis has been significantly transformed by the surge of federal immigration agents. Local “ICE watchers” – community members who monitor immigration enforcement activities – have reported facing violence, tear gas, and arrests, yet continue their observation efforts.

Lemon’s attorney vowed that the journalist “will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.” The case is likely to become a focal point in ongoing debates about press freedom, immigration enforcement, and federal overreach.

As this situation continues to develop, media outlets and civil liberties organizations will be closely watching how the charges against Lemon proceed through the judicial system and what implications this case may have for other journalists covering contentious political events.