St. Paul, United States– Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is at the center of a volatile national debate after his coverage of a protest that disrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota sparked criticism from federal officials, faith leaders and political commentators. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has warned Lemon he may face legal consequences, and agents are evaluating potential violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects worshippers’ rights to freely exercise religious services.
The incident unfolded when anti-immigration enforcement protesters entered Cities Church during services, chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” in response to the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent earlier this month. Demonstrators claimed that David Easterwood, listed as a pastor at Cities Church, also serves as acting director of the local ICE field office — an assertion that inflamed tensions.
Lemon, 59, posted videos of the protest on social media and livestreamed segments inside the church, asserting he was covering an event of “national significance.” In statements to media, he maintained that his presence was journalistic and protected under the First Amendment, denying any affiliation with the protest organizers. Conservative DOJ officials and commentators, however, have challenged that view, arguing that entering a place of worship with agitators constituted unlawful interference.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon publicly announced that the DOJ is scrutinizing the protest and its coverage for possible violations of the FACE Act, which makes it a federal crime to intimidate or obstruct individuals at a place of worship. White House and DOJ officials have condemned actions that impede religious freedom, even as civil rights leaders say the focus should remain on accountability for ICE enforcement tactics.
Faith leaders have also weighed in. Several clergy condemned the disruption as traumatic for worshippers, emphasizing the need to protect both congregations’ rights and peaceful public expression. The church’s lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, described the interruption as shameful and urged respect for worshippers.
Lemon’s critics include political figures who have called for charges under federal law, citing video of the journalist inside the church alongside protesters. Supporters of Lemon argue that the controversy underscores ongoing national tensions over immigration policy, media coverage and the boundaries of press freedom.
As investigations continue and legal questions swirl around the application of the FACE Act in this case, federal authorities have not confirmed any formal charges against Lemon or individual protesters.
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Hannah Price is a digital journalist who covers breaking news, global events, and trending stories with accuracy and speed. She has previously contributed to several online magazines and has built a reputation for verifying facts before publishing. Hannah believes in responsible reporting and aims to present stories in a way that readers can trust.
