Coverage dated January 18, 2026 to January 22, 2026

Minnesota magistrate judge rejects charges against Don Lemon over anti-ICE church protest, blocks some charges for 2 protesters

Headline from CBS News, on the newest of 2 developments

The Justice Dept. suggested independent journalist Don Lemon could be charged after he was seen in video of a protest inside a church in St. Paul on Sunday.

CBS News's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Don Lemon May Be Charged Under Ku Klux Klan Act For Church Invasion

    Headline from The Daily Caller ·

  2. Newest

    Minnesota magistrate judge rejects charges against Don Lemon over anti-ICE church protest, blocks some charges for 2 protesters

    Headline from CBS News ·

1 report not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

17 articles, oldest first.

  1. The Daily Caller

    Don Lemon May Be Charged Under Ku Klux Klan Act For Church Invasion (opens The Daily Caller)

    Published

    The Daily Caller's feed description

    Harmeet Dhillon said on Monday that Ku Klux Klan Act charges may be on the table for former CNN host Don Lemon and protesters who crashed a church in Minnesota.

  2. PJ Media

    HA HA! Don Lemon May Be Charged Under the Ku Klux Klan Act (opens PJ Media)

    Published

    PJ Media's feed description

    Don Lemon faces potential charges under the Ku Klux Klan Act for his involvement in a church protest.

  3. Fox News

    Don Lemon could be prosecuted for embedding with protesters at Minnesota church, legal analyst says (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Don Lemon could face criminal charges after former CNN host filmed anti-ICE agitators who stormed Minnesota church during Sunday service, Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett argues.

  4. The Guardian

    Judge declines to sign off on charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    Refusal to approve charges against Lemon in connection with Minnesota protest reportedly ‘enraged’ Pam Bondi

  5. CBS News

    Magistrate judge rejects charges against Don Lemon over anti-ICE protest in Minnesota church (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    The Justice Dept. suggested independent journalist Don Lemon could be charged after he was seen in video of a protest inside a church in St. Paul on Sunday.

  6. New York Post

    Judge rejects Trump DOJ bid to charge Don Lemon over Minnesota church storming (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    A federal magistrate judge in Minnesota rejected an attempt by the Justice Department to charge disgraced former CNN host Don Lemon over his participation in Sunday's invasion of a St. Paul church service by anti-ICE agitators.

  7. Breitbart News

    Nolte: Federal Judge Refuses to Sign Complaint Against Don Lemon for Church Riot (opens Breitbart News)

    Published

    Breitbart News's feed description

    A federal magistrate has refused to sign a criminal complaint against far-left activist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon.

  8. CNN

    Judge rejects Justice Department’s initial attempt to bring charges against Don Lemon (opens CNN)

    Published

    CNN's feed description

    A federal magistrate judge rejected the Justice Department’s initial attempt to bring charges against journalist Don Lemon for appearing alongside protesters who breached a Minnesota church over the weekend, a source told CNN.

  9. Townhall

    Don Lemon Walks Free While Someone Else Takes the Fall In Church Protest Case (opens Townhall)

    Published

    Townhall's feed description

    Don Lemon avoids charges in church protest case while others face legal consequences.

  10. Fox News

    Magistrate judge rejects charges against Don Lemon in connection with anti-ICE church protest (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Federal magistrate judge on Thursday rejects the Justice Department’s attempt to bring charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon in connection with Sunday’s anti-ICE protest.

  11. Deadline

    Judge Rejects Justice Department Effort To Charge Don Lemon (opens Deadline)

    Published

    Deadline's feed description

    The DOJ sought to charge Lemon, who livestreamed the protest.

  12. CBS News

    Minnesota magistrate judge rejects charges against Don Lemon over anti-ICE church protest, blocks some charges for 2 protesters (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    The Justice Dept. suggested independent journalist Don Lemon could be charged after he was seen in video of a protest inside a church in St. Paul on Sunday.

  13. Newsweek

    Don Lemon issues challenge after judge rejects Trump DOJ's charges (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    Lemon vowed to keep reporting after a judge refused to sign a complaint tied to his presence at a protest at a Minnesota church.

  14. Townhall

    Well, We Know Why Don Lemon Wasn't Charged in the Minneapolis Church Storming Incident (opens Townhall)

    Published

    Townhall's feed description

    Don Lemon's involvement in the Minneapolis church storming raises questions about legal accountability.

  15. PJ Media

    Here’s the Infuriating Reason Don Lemon Avoided Charges in the Church Mob Incident (opens PJ Media)

    Published

    PJ Media's feed description

    Don Lemon avoided charges in the church mob incident, raising questions about legal accountability.

  16. Legal Insurrection

    Report: Magistrate Judge Refused to Sign Off on Charges Against Don Lemon (opens Legal Insurrection)

    Published

    Legal Insurrection's feed description

    Why does Lemon get special treatment!?

  17. Hot Air

    Minnesota Judge Refuses to Sign Charges Against Don Lemon (opens Hot Air)

    Published

    Hot Air's feed description

    A Minnesota judge blocks charges against journalist Don Lemon related to a church protest.