JD Vance labels Don Lemon the ‘dumbest man on television', says FACE Act justified DOJ arrest

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance did not shy away from calling independent journalist Don Lemon “the dumbest man on Television” during an interview. Vance delivered the remark in a subtle but pointed manner during a one-on-one appearance on 'The Megyn Kelly Show'.

Vance said that the former CNN star violated federal law by recording the protest.

Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents during a late-night arrest after recording an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest at a church in St Paul, which disrupted services.

JD Vance cites FACE Act in Don Lemon protest case

Vice President JD Vance said the Donald Trump administration has a strong case against Don Lemon, claiming Lemon actively participated in an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota. Vance did not shy away from criticizing Lemon and made his position clear during the discussion.

Megyn Kelly asked, “He’s trying to cloak himself in the First Amendment, saying this is an attack on freedom of the press. And you say what?”

Vance smiled and replied, “No one is objecting to you standing outside of a church and protesting, no one is saying you can’t protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies or frankly our policies on anything else.”

He continued that no one is allowed to “get into somebody's house of worship and prevent them from exercising” the First Amendment rights of the country. Vance made clear that he believes Lemon’s actions crossed ethical and legal lines.

He also referenced the FACE Act, established in 1994, which prohibits individuals from intimidating others at their homes, houses of worship, or other religious services.

“We have a rock solid violation of the FACE Act, which is you were sticking a microphone in the face of a minister during the church service while the people you were with preventing people from leaving,” Vance said. “That’s a violation of the law. That’s not about the First Amendment.”

His comments followed Lemon’s statement during the Minnesota anti-ICE protest, when he said he was “just (there) photographing, I'm a journalist.”

Don Lemon arrested after Minnesota anti-ICE protest

Lemon was arrested and charged after recording video for his own channel during a protest in Minnesota. He was later criticized by several high-profile figures, including Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, among others.

Lemon was taken into custody and required to appear in court. He was later released and said aloud, “I will not be silenced.” Lemon also criticized the Department of Justice for sending federal agents to arrest him.

“Last night the DOJ sent a team of federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night for something that I have been doing for the last 30 years, and that is covering the news,” Lemon said. “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now,” Lemon concluded.