Don Lemon pleads not guilty, says he ‘will not be intimidated’ in Minnesota church disruption case

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA: Defiant and unbowed, Don Lemon insisted he “will not be intimidated” after pleading not guilty Friday to federal charges tied to a disruptive protest at a Minnesota church.

The former CNN host exited a federal courthouse and framed the case as a direct challenge to press freedom, arguing he was present strictly in a journalistic capacity while documenting anti-immigration enforcement activists.

“I will fight these baseless charges and I will not be silenced,” Lemon said, adding that he believes the prosecution carries consequences far beyond his own legal fate.

Don Lemon addresses reporters after arraignment

Following his arraignment, Lemon told reporters the case reflects what he views as a troubling trend toward targeting journalists for doing their jobs.

“This isn’t just about me. This is about all journalists, especially here in the United States,” he said. “For more than 30 years I’ve been a journalist, and the First Amendment has been the underpinning of my work.”

Lemon suggested that what he called an aggressive legal approach is being used as punishment in itself.

“The process is the punishment with them,” he said, while thanking supporters who gathered outside the courthouse. He reiterated that he intends to fight the charges and continue reporting.

“And like all of you here in Minnesota, I will not be intimidated. I will not back down,” Lemon said. “I will fight these baseless charges and I will not be silenced.”

Prosecutors allege livestream of church disruption

Prosecutors allege Lemon livestreamed anti-ICE activists storming Cities Church last month amid suspicions that the church’s pastor had cooperated with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to a federal affidavit, the activists disrupted a worship service, frightened congregants, and forced the service to end early. Parents told police they struggled to reach children in a downstairs childcare area because protesters were blocking stairways.

One churchgoer reported fearing that some protesters might be carrying weapons under their jackets, while others said blocked aisles made it difficult to exit safely.

Lemon faces counts including conspiracy to deprive religious freedom rights and violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. Authorities did not seek his detention.

Lemon calls coverage a ‘clandestine mission’

While discussing the incident, Lemon described the assignment as a “clandestine mission,” arguing that journalists must sometimes enter uncomfortable and volatile situations to report.

“You have to be willing to go into places and disrupt and make people uncomfortable,” Lemon said. “That’s what this country is about.”

Lemon was arraigned alongside activists William Kelly and Nekima Levy Armstrong, who are accused of helping organize the church takeover. All defendants entered not guilty pleas.

He is being represented by defense attorney Abbe Lowell, who previously represented Hunter Biden, along with Joe Thompson, a former federal prosecutor tied to the Feeding Our Future fraud case.

Video of Lemon’s courthouse remarks circulated widely, including coverage by ABC News, as the case moves toward further pretrial proceedings. Lemon has maintained he did not participate in harassing church members and was solely documenting events as they unfolded.