On Sunday, February 1st, US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that former CNN anchor Don Lemon was involved in planning the protest activities at a church in Minnesota. Lemon was indicted by a federal grand jury last Friday, January 30th, for allegedly disrupting the legitimate rights of others.
During the morning of February 1st, Blanche appeared on CNN’s program “State of the Union” and answered questions from host Dana Bash regarding Lemon’s arrest and indictment. Blanche expressed that Bash’s questions were biased and did not provide a comprehensive and truthful overview of the case. He specifically pointed out that Lemon was involved in planning the Minnesota church incident, rather than merely reporting as an independent journalist on the scene.
Bash also inquired whether Lemon had been targeted by President Trump as a warning to others. Blanche responded unequivocally: “I do not know if President Trump had Lemon in mind, I do not know the veracity of this claim, but we are not using anyone as a scapegoat.” Blanche stated that the investigation revealed Lemon’s actions were unacceptable under any circumstances for an American citizen.
Bash highlighted two charges against Lemon during the program (Article 20 and Article 21), alleging that such charges violated the First Amendment of the Constitution. Blanche retorted, “You are clearly trying to avoid mentioning other charges against Lemon.” He then listed Lemon’s actions in relation to the Minnesota church incident, including participating in planning the disruption of normal church activities. He mentioned Lemon’s right to legal representation for his defense.
Blanche also told Bash, “Look at what Lemon actually did, things you didn’t mention on the program, things that as a journalist you would never do. Honestly, you would never do that.”
According to the information disclosed in the public indictment, around 20 to 40 perpetrators (including the nine defendants indicted) entered the Cities Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota on January 18 at 10:30 AM and attempted to take over the church, attacking the congregants present.
The indictment outlined a total of 29 unlawful actions, with Lemon being connected to at least 13 of them. One charge stated that Lemon was one of the planners of the disruptive action, arranging the details of the actions upon arrival at the church. Another charge described how Lemon stood at the church’s exit, blocking some individuals trying to leave, and provoking them with words.
The individuals inside the church were intimidated and frightened, with some even crying. Lemon, in his live reporting from the scene, expressed that making these individuals uncomfortable and traumatized was the purpose of the operation.
Lemon had worked at CNN for many years (2006-2023) and now operates as an independent journalist. After being arrested by federal authorities in Los Angeles on the evening of January 29, Federal Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue ordered his release on January 30 without the need for bail.