Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is facing intense scrutiny and a federal investigation after he livestreamed and followed anti-ICE protesters who disrupted a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday.
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, under the Trump administration, launched a probe into potential violations of the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act), which protects houses of worship from interference with religious services. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon publicly placed Lemon "on notice," stating: "A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! ... Nor does the First Amendment protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service. You are on notice!"
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions over ICE enforcement operations in Minnesota, including the recent shooting death of protester Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. About 30 activists from the Racial Justice Network stormed the church during the service, chanting "Hands up, don't shoot!" and "ICE out!", blowing whistles, and confronting attendees. They targeted the church because one of its pastors, David Easterwood, also serves as the acting field office director for ICE in Minnesota.
Families, including children, reportedly fled in fear, with the service interrupted during the opening prayer. Lead pastor Jonathan Parnell told Lemon (who entered with or shortly after the group and interviewed him): "We're here to worship Jesus," and asked him to leave unless he was there to worship.
Don Lemon tried lecturing a pastor on the First Amendment after a mob of far-left activists stormed a church in Minneapolis.
— Digital Gal (@DigitalGalX) January 19, 2026
But let’s be clear the First Amendment protects free speech, not chaos. Churches are private property, and worship isn’t a protest zone. What happened… pic.twitter.com/aexy5xOILA
Lemon, now an independent journalist/YouTuber, documented the event live on his platforms, interviewed participants (including activist attorney Nekima Levy-Armstrong), and defended the action as protected protest meant "to make people uncomfortable." He has denied organizing it but admitted to prior contact with activists and following their "Operation Pull-Up."
Meet Nekima Levy Armstrong…
— C3 (@C_3C_3) January 19, 2026
She led the group of Marxists that stormed the Church with Don Lemon.
She is a community agitator tied to Leftist orgs.
She made $170,000 at a 501(c)(3) called The Wayfinder Foundation.
Of course…
The Resistance is funded by us. Lock her up! pic.twitter.com/G7oaiKWdWl
Conservative commentators, Christian leaders, and figures like pastors Paul Chappell and Kevin Ezell condemned the disruption as a "desecration" and "unspeakably evil" violation of religious liberty, with some calling for Lemon's arrest. Broader backlash includes accusations of hypocrisy in applying laws previously used against pro-life protesters.
Lemon has pushed back, framing his role as journalism and emphasizing First Amendment protections. The DOJ investigation remains ongoing as of January 19, 2026, with no charges filed yet, though officials have vowed to pursue violations aggressively. The event highlights sharp political divisions over immigration enforcement, protest tactics, and religious freedom.