Mayor Bass calls arrest of journalist Don Lemon in LA ‘shocking’

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the arrest of journalist Don Lemon by federal authorities in LA “shocking” and “alarming.”

Lemon was arrested Thursday night in connection with a protest at a St. Paul church service earlier this month during a protest over ongoing federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. Lemon, 59, and three other journalists — Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy — were arrested “in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X on Friday.

“Don Lemon, an internationally known and renowned journalist and friend, was arrested last night by federal agents and is now in custody in Los Angeles — simply for doing his job and following a protest into a church in Minneapolis while reporting the story,” Bass said. “Emmy-winning news producer and Minnesota-based journalist Georgia Fort – another widely respected Black journalist – was also arrested by federal agents in Minnesota for reporting on the same protest.

“The arrest of journalists for going into a church in the course of reporting is shocking enough, but what’s even more alarming is that it’s no secret that Don Lemon is a Trump critic. Let me be very clear – President Trump is not deescalating anything after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents. In fact, the arrest of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort demonstrates quite the opposite – he is escalating. First, Trump’s agents shoot and kill people exercising their First Amendment rights, and now we’re arresting journalists going into a church. It’s an egregious assault on constitutionally protected First Amendment rights.”

Bass said she has reached out to the United States Attorney’s Office for more information about the arrest.

The former CNN anchor’ attorney said Lemon was taken into custody in LA, where he was covering the Grammy Awards.

In a post on X, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said, “They raided a reporter’s home earlier this month. Today, they arrested journalists. They are coming for you. Speak out.”

The Trump administration is responding to growing backlash over the fatal shooting of an American in Minneapolis. Annette Arreola reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on Jan . 27, 2026. 

“Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case,” attorney Abbe Lowell said. “This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand.

“Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”

The White House posted on X shortly after news broke of the arrest: “When life gives you lemons…” The text was paired with a chain emoji and an image of Lemon from inside the church in St. Paul.

The Department of Homeland Security said Lemmon is being charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and violation of the FACE Act, interfering by force of someone’s First Amendment rights.

The Department of Justice earlier promised to pursue charges against the high-profile journalist after he covered the protest that interrupted a service Jan. 18 at the St. Paul church.

Three people — Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly — were taken into custody in connection with the church service disruption, which unfolded as demonstrators gathered at the service in objection to it pastor’s alleged connection to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Federal authorities cited the FACE Act in the arrest of the three protesters. The federal statute prohibits the use of force or intimidation to anyone trying to access reproductive services, but also contains provisions that cover houses of worship.

The protesters were released after a federal judges said the Trump administration offered “no factual or legal support: to justify two of the arrests.

About 3,000 federal immigration agents were sent to the Twin Cities over the past two months. During the crackdown, Renee Good, 37, and Alex Pretti, 37, were both shot and killed by federal immigration authorities in separate confrontations.

Trump administration officials this week said they plan to reduce the number of agents in the state. On Thursday, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino was swapped out for border czar Tom Homan to oversee Operation Metro Surge.