Brian Stelter defends Don Lemon arrest, calls Minnesota church protest reporting ‘very valuable’
CNN’s Brian Stelter insists Lemon wasn’t there as “an activist” to disrupt a Minnesota church like “MAGA loyalists” want you to think, but provide “insightful” and “very valuable” journalism b/c he “interviewed some of the worshippers”...
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) January 30, 2026
“Lemon has said all along that he was… pic.twitter.com/b877TqIYx6
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY: CNN media analyst Brian Stelter has come to the defense of his former colleague, Don Lemon, following his arrest on Thursday, January 29, by federal agents in connection with his presence at a Minnesota church protest.
Stelter emphasized that Lemon was acting in his role as a journalist rather than as a participant in the protest. The arrest has ignited a broader debate about the responsibilities of journalists covering demonstrations and the boundaries of First Amendment protections.
Brian Stelter defends Don Lemon’s reporting
Stelter stated, “Lemon has said all along that he was there not as an activist, but as a journalist. In fact, he was saying those words and repeating that out loud when he was inside the church.” Stelter acknowledged that Lemon was aware of the protest activities taking place that day and even alerted his viewers on YouTube to stay tuned, noting that something was about to happen.
Stelter highlighted that Lemon was cautious with his camera crew, ensuring they entered the church only when a disruption occurred. He also encouraged viewers to watch the YouTube video of the incident, calling Lemon’s reporting “very valuable.”
Stelter explained that Lemon interviewed both protesters and worshippers in real time, offering insight into the perspectives of those present. According to Stelter, the viewers gained understanding about why protesters attended, including their belief that a pastor at the church also worked for ICE.
Stelter also criticized the political pressure surrounding the arrest, stating, “By Monday, the day after that incident, there was a lot of online outrage on the right. Many calls from MAGA loyalists to have Lemon arrested.”
He claimed the Justice Department and others faced intense pressure from the right to take action against Lemon, framing the arrest in the context of previous Trump administration attempts to target perceived critics, referencing figures such as Letitia James and James Comey.
Don Lemon frames arrest as First Amendment challenge
Following his release from custody on Friday, Lemon framed the case as a direct challenge to the First Amendment. He stated, “I’ve spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now. There is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.”
Lemon was arrested along with another independent journalist and two protest participants. The arrests drew sharp criticism from civil rights activists and media advocates, including Al Sharpton, who accused the Trump administration of using a “sledgehammer” against the First Amendment.
The DHS charged Lemon with conspiring to deprive someone of their rights and interfering with another person’s First Amendment rights, allegations which his attorney Abbe Lowell also rejected as “an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment.”
The arrest stems from a January 18 protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators confronted a pastor who also serves as an ICE field office director. Lemon was on site documenting the protest, one of several reporters present.
The Committee to Protect Journalists also criticized the arrest, cautioning that reporters could be facing criminal repercussions simply for documenting protests connected to federal authorities.
