Don Lemon revealed that around twelve federal agents arrived unannounced at his Los Angeles hotel last week intending to arrest him. This action came despite Lemon's attorney informing authorities that he was prepared to turn himself in to face federal civil rights allegations. These charges concern his journalistic coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement demonstration that interrupted a service at a church in Minnesota.
Speaking on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Lemon characterized the deployment of agents to his hotel as an inefficient use of resources. He noted that if authorities had allowed him to surrender voluntarily, such a mobilization of personnel would have been unnecessary. Lemon recounted the moment at the hotel saying, "I was walking up to the room and I pressed the elevator button, and then suddenly, I felt myself being pushed and people attempting to handcuff me."
He inquired about the identities of the agents, who then identified themselves. Lemon requested to see a warrant but was initially told none was available. Subsequently, the agents called in an FBI official from outside, who presented the warrant to Lemon via a cell phone screen.
The Department of Justice and FBI have not yet provided comments regarding this incident.
During the interview, Kimmel introduced Lemon as his first guest of the evening, noting that he was "arrested for committing journalism." Lemon’s legal representative has stated that he intends to plead not guilty. Following his release under a judge’s directive, Lemon declared to the press, "I will not be silenced."
A grand jury in Minnesota has indicted Lemon, fellow independent journalist Georgia Fort, and others. The charges include conspiracy and interference with First Amendment rights of worshippers during the protest that took place on January 18 at the Cities Church in St. Paul. The church’s pastor is a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. Although Lemon was dismissed from CNN in 2023 after a turbulent tenure as a morning host, he has maintained no affiliation with the group that disrupted the service.
Lemon expressed that he cannot discuss all aspects of the case but emphasized he was not participating as a protester. He said, "I went there to be a journalist. I went there to chronicle and document and record what was happening. I was following that one group around, and so that’s what I did. I reported on them." He also described being denied the opportunity to make a phone call upon arrest and was told he could only speak to his lawyer the following day. He attempted to use voice commands on his Apple Watch to contact his husband and attorney, but neither responded. The handcuffs caused discomfort by catching on a diamond bracelet he wore; agents agreed to remove the bracelet and deliver it to Lemon’s husband in his hotel room, which was how his husband became aware of the arrest.
After his detention, Lemon was held in a holding room at the federal courthouse from midnight until 1 p.m. the following day.
Host Jimmy Kimmel, known for his stance against censorship, suffered suspension of his show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in the previous year after remarks made following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr had pressured broadcasters to take Kimmel’s show off the air. However, after public outcry, ABC reinstated the show, subsequently enjoying improved ratings. Democratic senators in Congress have criticized Carr’s actions as infringing upon First Amendment rights.