Independent commentator Don Lemon found himself under federal scrutiny after allegedly joining a group of anti-ICE protesters who stormed a church service in St. Paul on Sunday.
“A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws!”
According to the New York Post, Justice Department Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon wrote on X.
“You are on notice!” she added, noting that the FBI has been “activated” and accusing the demonstrators of “desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers.”
Lemon, who has been covering the wave of protests following the Jan. 7 shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, entered Cities Church alongside the agitators and began filming the chaos.
He dismissed calls for legal action, framing his presence as journalistic work protected under the First Amendment.
“The MAGA administration and the fake news MAGAs are losing their mind over something that’s not even true,” Lemon said. He emphasized that he had “no affiliations” with the protest group and described his actions as “an act of journalism.”
The protest involved several dozen individuals chanting “ICE out” inside the church, apparently believing that pastor David Easterwood was affiliated with ICE—a claim Lemon shared on the social media platform Bluesky.
There is an ICE official named David Easterwood overseeing the St. Paul field office, though The Post could not independently confirm whether he is the same person as the church pastor.
Lemon interviewed Cities Church lead pastor Jonathan Parnell during the disruption. Parnell called the protest “shameful,” a sentiment Lemon countered by pointing to constitutional protections.
“Listen, there’s a Constitution and a First Amendment to freedom of speech and freedom to assemble and protest,” Lemon said, defending his presence and coverage.
The controversy highlights ongoing tension over reporting and protest tactics in the Twin Cities, as demonstrators and journalists continue to document and challenge federal immigration enforcement actions.
This story is developing, with federal authorities reportedly reviewing Lemon’s participation and the protest itself.
