Don Lemon Pleads Not Guilty in Minnesota Church Protest Case
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has pleaded not guilty to federal civil rights charges stemming from a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, last month. The charges relate to an incident where anti-ICE protesters disrupted a service at Cities Church.
Lemon appeared in federal court on Friday, February 13, 2026, before Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko Fox News. He was formally arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty to charges of conspiracy to deprive religious freedom rights and a violation of the FACE Act.
The Charges and the Protest
The charges against Lemon stem from an incident on January 18, where protesters targeted Cities Church because one of its pastors, David Easterwood, also serves as a field director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) CBS News. The FACE Act prohibits the employ of force or threats to interfere with someone’s First Amendment right to practice their religion.
Lemon maintains he was present at the church solely as a journalist, livestreaming the event and not as a participant in the protest Good Morning America. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, stated that Lemon’s work is constitutionally protected and that the First Amendment protects journalists shining a light on the truth and holding those in power accountable.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
During the hearing, Judge Micko reminded Lemon of his constitutional rights and allowed him to travel, provided he does not violate any state or federal laws. Lemon’s legal team requested the return of a cell phone seized during his arrest in Los Angeles, but prosecutors stated the device is currently undergoing a search process by the Department of Homeland Security and cannot be returned at this time Fox News.
Four other individuals also pleaded not guilty on Friday, with additional arraignments scheduled for next week CBS News. Legal experts anticipate the charges against the group may be dismissed CBS News.
Lemon’s Perspective on Journalistic Independence
Speaking last month, Lemon emphasized the importance of independent platforms for journalists, stating, “It means freedom. It means autonomy. People often try to tell our stories…when they do try to tell it, it’s often the wrong way.”