Former CNN Host Enters Not Guilty Plea
Don Lemon, the former CNN host turned independent journalist, pleaded not guilty on Friday, February 13, 2026, to federal civil rights charges in St. Paul, Minnesota. The charges are connected to a protest that occurred on January 18 at Cities Church, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official serves as a pastor. Lemon asserts he was present at the event in his capacity as a journalist, documenting the protest for his livestream show.
Charges Stem from Church Protest
Lemon is among nine individuals charged in connection with the protest. He faces federal charges under the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which prohibits interference or intimidation of any person exercising their right to religious freedom at a place of worship. Additionally, he is charged with conspiracy. Penalties for these charges can include up to one year in prison and a $10,000 fine. Four other defendants also entered not guilty pleas on Friday.
The protest at Cities Church targeted the institution because one of its pastors, David Easterwood, also leads a local ICE office. Demonstrators interrupted a church service by chanting 'ICE out' and 'Justice for Renee Good,' referencing a 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
Legal Defense and Press Freedom Concerns
Lemon's legal team, including attorneys Joe Thompson and Abbe David Lowell, plans to raise First Amendment issues in his defense, arguing that his actions were protected journalistic endeavors. Lowell stated that Lemon has been a journalist for 30 years and his work in Minneapolis was consistent with his professional role. The defense has also requested the return of Lemon's phone, which was seized during his arrest in Los Angeles. Prosecutors indicated the phone is in Department of Homeland Security custody, with a search warrant under seal, and cannot be returned until the search process is complete.
The charges against Lemon and other journalists involved in covering the protest have sparked concerns among legal experts and media groups regarding press freedom and the potential 'chilling effect' on reporting, particularly concerning the actions of the current administration.
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