Don Lemon pleads not guilty in Minnesota church protest case

February 13, 2026

Former CNN journalist Don Lemon entered a not guilty plea to federal charges related to his coverage of a January protest at a Minnesota church where demonstrators opposed immigration enforcement activities. Lemon and eight co-defendants face charges including conspiracy to deprive rights and interfering with religious freedoms after protesters disrupted a church service while demanding justice for individuals killed during immigration enforcement operations. Lemon maintains he was performing his journalistic duties by covering the protest rather than participating in it, and his legal team has raised concerns about authorities seizing his phone during his arrest.

Who is affected

Don Lemon (former CNN host facing criminal charges)
Eight other co-defendants, including another journalist
Cities Church congregation members and pastoral staff in St. Paul
Renee Good (mother of three killed by ICE officer)
Alex Pretti (intensive care nurse killed by federal agents)
Church protesters who interrupted the service
Attorney General Pam Bondi (targeted by protesters)

What action is being taken

Don Lemon and four co-defendants are pleading not guilty to charges
Lemon's lawyer Abbe Lowell is expressing concerns to the judge about investigators seizing Lemon's mobile phone
Federal prosecutors are pursuing charges against Lemon and eight co-defendants for conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with religious exercise

Why it matters

This case represents a significant legal test of press freedom boundaries, questioning where journalism ends and participation in potentially illegal protest activity begins. The charges highlight tensions between First Amendment protections for both journalists covering events and religious congregations' rights to worship without disruption. Additionally, the incident underscores broader national debates about immigration enforcement policies and appropriate venues for political protest, particularly regarding disrupting religious services.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC