Former CNN host Don Lemon said on his podcast that he expects the Department of Justice to pursue charges against him again following his involvement in a disruptive protest at a Minnesota church, even after a federal judge declined to approve a complaint against him this week.
Lemon said he was inside Cities Church in St. Paul last Sunday acting as a journalist while protesters attempted to confront Pastor David Easterwood over the pastor’s alleged involvement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Lemon has insisted he was present solely to document the incident and not to participate in the protest itself.
The episode drew national attention after President Donald Trump condemned the disruption and called for those involved, including Lemon, to be “thrown in jail, or thrown out of the country.” In the aftermath, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that multiple arrests had already been made and warned that more were forthcoming.
However, on Thursday, CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane reported that a federal magistrate judge refused to sign a complaint bringing charges against Lemon. Despite that setback for prosecutors, Lemon said he does not believe the matter is over.
“I have said several times, I am not a protester — I’m a journalist,” Lemon said during his podcast Thursday night. He struck a defiant tone, saying he expects further attempts to charge him and insisting he will not be intimidated.
“I stand proud, and I stand tall,” Lemon said. “This is not a victory lap for me because it’s not over. They’re going to try again, and they’re going to try again. And guess what? Here I am. Keep trying. That’s not going to stop me from being a journalist. You’re not going to diminish my voice.”
Lemon’s prediction appeared to gain traction the following day when CNN media reporter Brian Stelter suggested the former anchor’s concerns may not be unfounded. Stelter cited comments from Trump-aligned podcaster Benny Johnson, who claimed his “DOJ sources” indicated that prosecutors are exploring alternative legal avenues.
“This morning, Trump-aligned podcaster Benny Johnson said his ‘DOJ sources’ told him ‘multiple alternative legal paths are already in motion,’” Stelter wrote on social media. Johnson added that Lemon was “not off the hook” and described the situation as “just the beginning.”
The controversy has continued to widen beyond Lemon himself. On Thursday, the White House faced criticism after sharing an altered image of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, one of the alleged protesters arrested in connection with the church disruption. According to CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale, the image was modified in a way that made it appear Armstrong was crying, which did not reflect the original photograph.
When asked to comment on the altered image, the White House referred reporters to a social media post from a spokesperson stating, “Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue.”
Meanwhile, the Justice Department announced two additional arrests related to the church protest on Thursday. Bondi said alleged protesters Chauntyll Louisa and William Kelly had been taken into custody, signaling that the investigation remains active.
“We will share more updates as they become available,” Bondi wrote in a public statement. “Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP.”
As the legal situation continues to evolve, Lemon maintains that he was engaged in journalistic activity and says he is bracing for further legal challenges, even as prosecutors press ahead with additional arrests tied to the incident.
