The news media's reaction to the arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been sharply divided, largely along ideological lines. Lemon, now working as an independent journalist, was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles while preparing to cover the Grammy Awards.
The charges stem from his presence and reporting during an anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protest that disrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2026. He faces federal civil rights-related charges, including conspiracy to deprive rights and violation of the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, applied here to interference with religious worship rights).
Many mainstream outlets, press freedom organizations, Democratic figures, and former colleagues framed the arrest as a serious threat to journalism and the First Amendment, portraying it as politically motivated under the Trump administration:
- CNN issued a statement expressing profound concern about press freedom and the First Amendment, noting prior failed attempts by the DOJ to secure warrants and a judge's finding of "no evidence" of criminal behavior in Lemon's journalistic work.
- The Guardian, The Independent, and similar sources described it as an "extremely alarming" attack on the First Amendment and a sign of a broader crackdown on media critical of immigration enforcement.
- Press freedom groups like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Freedom of the Press Foundation, and the National Press Club condemned it as an "egregious attack" and called for charges to be dropped, emphasizing that "journalism is not a crime."
- Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, called it a "disgraceful affront" and "troubling," accusing the administration of weaponizing the justice system.
- Outlets like the Los Angeles Times and Spectrum News highlighted First Amendment concerns, with legal experts questioning the prosecution given the public nature of the church and Lemon's claimed role as a journalist merely covering (not participating in) the protest.
Conservative-leaning media and some commentators viewed the arrest more favorably, framing it as accountability for disrupting a religious service rather than protected journalism:
- Fox News reported on the federal charges and Lemon's court appearance without strong condemnation, noting his argument of First Amendment protections but presenting the government's case (e.g., calling the protest a "coordinated attack").
- Some coverage and social media commentary highlighted perceived hypocrisy, comparing it to past uses of the FACE Act against anti-abortion protesters under prior administrations.
- The White House and Trump allies celebrated the arrest publicly (e.g., via memes and posts), while figures like Attorney General Pam Bondi announced it as addressing interference with worship rights
Overall Tone: The coverage reflects deep polarization: Left-leaning and press-focused media treat it as a chilling escalation against free speech and journalists (especially those covering controversial issues like immigration), while right-leaning sources see it as legitimate enforcement against disruption of religious freedoms.
Broader outlets like AP, NBC, NYT, BBC, and CBS reported factually on the arrest details, charges, and context without heavy editorializing in headlines, though accompanying analysis often noted the First Amendment debates.
This event has sparked intense online and media debate about press protections versus accountability for actions during protests. Lemon's attorney has vowed to fight the charges vigorously in court.