Disgraced ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested late Thursday over the anti-ICE protest that stormed a Minneapolis church during Sunday service, according to his attorney.
“Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards,” Lemon’s attorney Abbe Lowell said in a statement shared with multiple reporters.
“This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing his administration will not stand,” said Lowell, who also represented disgraced former first son Hunter Biden.
“Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
Lemon, 59, was part of a group of dozens of protesters who disrupted Sunday worship at Cities Church.
It was not immediately clear what charhes he is facing. However, Lemon has been accused of violating the Enforcement Act of 1871, which bans interference with certain civil rights — such as voting or serving on juries — or, in this case, the right to practice one’s religion.
Also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act, it originally created to prevent the racial terrorist group from paramilitary vigilantism.
Initially, Lemon tried to get out of facing criminal conspiracy charges by claiming he was “committing journalism” while taking part in the church disruption, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson on Tuesday.
“Whenever anyone conspires to violate the protected civil rights of American citizens, the Klan Act can be used to bring a conspiracy charge,” she said.
But video posted by Lemon himself before, during and after the church takeover showed he was very much part of the group, under the guise of “chronicling” the event as a reporter.
Before the group barged into the house of worship, Lemon filmed a segment admitting he had done some “reconnaissance” with the activists, which included members of Minnesota Black Lives Matter, who were milling about in a parking lot a few feet away.
“They’re planning an operation we’re going to follow them on. I can’t tell you exactly what they’re doing, but it’s called Operation Pull-Up,” he said.
“So that’s what we’re doing here, and after we do this operation, you’ll see it live, these operations are surprise operations. Again, I can’t tell you where they’re going,” he said.
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