Don Lemon Pleads Not Guilty in Church “Takeover” Case

Independent journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon was formally arraigned in a St. Paul federal court on Friday, February 13, 2026. Appearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko, Lemon pleaded not guilty to felony charges stemming from his coverage of a January 18 protest at Cities Church.

The arraignment marks a critical turn in a case that has become a national lightning rod for debates over press freedom and the limits of the FACE Act.

The Charges and Legal Strategy

Lemon faces two primary federal charges related to the incident, where anti-ICE protesters interrupted a Sunday service to confront a pastor who reportedly serves as a high-ranking ICE official.

• Conspiracy to Deprive Religious Freedom: A felony charge carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
• FACE Act Violation: A misdemeanor charge under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which also protects places of worship from force, threats, or physical obstruction.

The “Dream Team” Defense:

Lemon has assembled a high-powered legal team to argue that his presence at the church was purely journalistic.

• Abbe Lowell: The veteran attorney known for representing high-profile political figures.
• Joe Thompson: A former top federal prosecutor in Minnesota who resigned in January 2026. Thompson’s move is particularly notable as he previously worked in the very office now prosecuting Lemon, having left over disagreements with the DOJ’s immigration enforcement directives.

The “Clandestine Mission” Argument

Prosecutors allege that Lemon’s conduct went beyond reporting, characterizing the event as a “coordinated takeover-style attack.” They point to Lemon’s own livestream commentary, where he described the entry into the church as a “clandestine mission” and told his audience that citizens must be willing to “disrupt and make people uncomfortable.”

In contrast, Lemon’s defense maintains that he did not participate in chants, remained calm throughout the 45-minute encounter, and was merely “bearing witness” to a matter of significant public interest—the fatal shooting of Renee Good by federal agents and the alleged dual role of the church’s pastor.

Bipartisan and Public Reaction

The case has drawn sharp rebukes from across the political spectrum:

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY): Denounced the arrest as a move toward a “police state” intended to chill free speech.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi: Credited the DOJ’s “decisive action” in protecting sacred spaces of worship from “agitators.”
• Press Freedom Groups: Organizations like Amnesty International and the Knight First Amendment Institute have condemned the charges as a “critical threat” to the First Amendment.

Key Defendants and Legal Status