Disgraced ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon has been taken into federal custody in connection with an anti-ICE protest that stormed a Minneapolis church during Sunday worship, escalating an already volatile clash between left-wing activism and Americans constitutionally protected right to practice their faith.
According to the New York Post, Lemon, 59, was arrested in Los Angeles, where he had been assigned to cover the Grammy Awards. Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards, Lemons attorney Abbe Lowell said in a statement circulated to multiple reporters.
Lowell, who has also represented disgraced former first son Hunter Biden, immediately framed the case as a political hit job aimed at shielding the White House from scrutiny. This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing his administration will not stand, he declared, adding, Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.
Authorities have not yet publicly detailed the full slate of charges, but Lemon has been accused of violating the Enforcement Act of 1871, a Reconstruction-era statute better known as the Ku Klux Klan Act. The law prohibits conspiracies to interfere with core civil rights such as voting, jury service, and, as alleged here, the free exercise of religion inside a house of worship.
Lemon was reportedly among dozens of demonstrators who disrupted Sunday services at Cities Church in Minneapolis under the banner of an anti-ICE protest. The Ku Klux Klan Act was originally enacted to stop racial terror groups from engaging in paramilitary vigilantism, and its use here underscores the gravity federal officials appear to assign to the church incursion.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon told conservative commentator Benny Johnson that Lemon initially tried to shield himself from criminal conspiracy charges by claiming he was merely committing journalism during the disruption. Whenever anyone conspires to violate the protected civil rights of American citizens, the Klan Act can be used to bring a conspiracy charge, she said, signaling the Justice Departments willingness to apply the statute beyond its 19th-century origins.
Federal investigators, however, are pointing to Lemons own footage as evidence that he was not a detached observer but an active participant. Video posted by Lemon before, during, and after the church takeover showed him embedded with the group under the guise of chronicling the operation as a reporter.
In one segment recorded shortly before the group entered the sanctuary, Lemon acknowledged he had conducted reconnaissance with activists, including members of Minnesota Black Lives Matter gathered in a nearby parking lot. Theyre planning an operation were going to follow them on. I cant tell you exactly what theyre doing, but its called Operation Pull-Up, he said, previewing the action that would soon unfold.
Lemon further teased the impending disruption while emphasizing its covert nature, suggesting foreknowledge that undercuts his claim of neutral coverage. So thats what were doing here, and after we do this operation, youll see it live, these operations are surprise operations. Again, I cant tell you where theyre going, he said, remarks that may now serve as key evidence as prosecutors weigh how aggressively to apply a law designed to protect Americans civil and religious liberties from organized intimidation.
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