Don Lemon recounted his January arrest throughout a current look on ABC’s “The View,” the place the famed journalist tearfully shared his expertise being taken into custody following protection of a Minnesota ICE protest.
The host of “The Don Lemon Present” on YouTube that boasts nearly 1.3 million subscribers, sat alongside panelist, former co-worker, and long-time buddy Sunny Hostin to debate the incident.
Don Lemon Tearfully Recounts January 2026 Arrest By Federal Authorities Throughout Go to To ‘The View’
On Thursday, April 2, former CNN anchor Don Lemon paid a go to to “The View” and spoke about his expertise being arrested in a Los Angeles lodge room days after doing on-the-ground protection of an ICE protest at a Minnesota church.
Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles whereas on the town to cowl the 2026 Grammy Awards, however his authorized workforce tried to contact the Division of Justice beforehand when phrase unfold that the journalist can be arrested. Nevertheless, Lemon stated they have been ignored in favor of publicly embarrassing him.
“All they needed to do was [say] ‘Hey, Mr. Lemon, flip your self in,’” he stated.
Hostin agreed along with his evaluation of the DOJ favoring public embarrassment, stating they needed “to ship a message to intimidate and harass.”
“I’ve been leaning on Sunny for counsel simply as a buddy. No authorized stuff, however simply as a buddy,” Lemon stated whereas on the panel, including the DOJ selected to arrest him regardless of his willingness to show himself in “as a result of they need to embarrass individuals.”
The dialog took an emotional flip when Lemon teared up recalling how federal brokers taking off a marriage current from his husband was the one means his arrest was recognized.
“I used to be fidgeting with it, [and an agent] was like, ‘Would you like me to take that off?’” Lemon stated of the diamond bracelet given to him by his husband Tim.
“There was an FBI agent that walked as much as me and stated, ‘I’ll maintain it.’ I stated, ‘Give this to my husband…’ And he took it up. That was the one means that anyone knew that I’d been arrested,” he shared.
Don Lemon Was Beforehand Arrested By Dozens Of Federal Brokers, Which Was Deemed ‘Wildly Extreme’
Whereas staying on the Beverly Hills Resort throughout Grammy weekend, Lemon was taken into custody by greater than two dozen federal brokers, from each the FBI and Homeland Safety, in keeping with PEOPLE.
Per the outlet, Lemon was arrested round 11 p.m. native time in Los Angeles on the famed location, when brokers confirmed up at his lodge room door.
Following his arrest, a Division of Homeland Safety spokesperson issued an announcement to the outlet relating to Lemon’s prices.
“Don Lemon is being charged with 18 USC 241, Conspiracy to Deprive Rights, and 18 USC 248, Violation of the FACE Act, interfering by pressure of somebody’s First Modification rights,” the spokesperson stated.
The overwhelming response to Lemon’s arrest was typically supportive, and when the variety of brokers readily available to arrest him was launched, the sentiment included what many imagine to be a large overreach.
“That’s wildly extreme. That’s treating somebody like they’ve an assault rifle,” one commenter wrote in response to the PEOPLE particulars. “Two dozen closely armed to arrest one man, very cowardly,” added one other.
The Journalist Pled Not Responsible Throughout His February 2026 Arraignment
On February 13, Lemon appeared in a Minnesota federal court docket on prices stemming from his protection of an anti-ICE protest at a neighborhood church, which he was broadcasting dwell for his on-line information program.
Based on NBC Information, he stood in entrance of Justice of the Peace Decide Douglas L. Micko and entered a plea of not responsible on all counts. The choose additionally instructed Lemon that he’s “free to journey until he have been to violate any state or federal legal guidelines.”
Through the listening to, the prosecutor within the case confirmed that Lemon’s cellphone was seized by authorities on the time of his arrest and a search warrant has since been obtained to analyze its contents.
Abbe Lowell, a member of Lemon’s authorized workforce, stated that seizing the cellphone was an motion of attainable “over-execution,” per the outlet.
Lemon Initially Spoke Out About The Arrest After His Launch From Custody
Following his January 29 arrest, Lemon was formally launched from custody after a brief court docket look on January 30, per The Hollywood Reporter. “He’s dedicated to preventing this case,” Lemon’s legal professional Marilyn Bednarski stated on the time.
U.S. District Decide Patricia Donahue allowed Lemon to be launched on a no cash bond.
Based on the 14-page indictment that was beforehand unsealed, Lemon “is charged with conspiracy and interfering with the First Modification rights of worshipers,” per the Related Press.
Following his launch from custody, Lemon stood outdoors the courthouse earlier than the media and issued a quick assertion.
“I’ve spent my whole profession overlaying the information. I can’t cease now. There is no such thing as a extra essential time than proper evening to cowl the information…I can’t cease now. I can’t cease ever. I can’t be silenced, I sit up for my day in court docket,” Lemon stated.
The White Home Mocked Lemon’s Arrest On Social Media
In a submit on X, previously often called Twitter, the White Home brazenly mocked the award-winning journalist. A black-and-white picture of Lemon from the Minnesota ICE protest was posted with the caption, “When life offers you lemons,” alongside an emoji of chains.
Per Deadline, Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and the CEO of the Heart for Nonviolent Social Change, supplied a blistering but easy response to the submit that many deemed racist.
King referred to the message for instance of “immaturity, poor style, and fascism.”
