"The Trump administration on Friday publicly celebrated the arrest of journalist Don Lemon, with Attorney General Pam Bondi announcing the action and the White House amplifying it less than an hour later. The situation sparked fierce backlash from lawmakers, civil rights leaders, and press freedom organizations, who warned that the administration was openly attacking the First Amendment. Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter."
"At 9:09 a.m., after news organizations, including The Advocate, reported on the arrests, Bondi wrote on X that the arrests were ordered directly by her. Related: Pam Bondi's mad after judge rejects charging Don Lemon over his Minnesota church reporting Related: Who was Renee Nicole Good? Remembering the Minneapolis poet and mother killed by ICE "At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota," Bondi wrote. "More details soon." Forty-one minutes later, at 9:50 a.m., the White House followed with a post from the official White House account declaring "Don Lemon Arrested," accompanied by a black-and-white image of Lemon and text asserting he was arrested for "involvement in the St. Paul church riots." The post cited no charges, evidence, or court filings. "When life gives you lemons," the White House wrote, along with chain emojis."
"Lemon, the former CNN anchor turned independent and veteran journalist with a 30-year career, was taken into custody Thursday evening in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards, according to his attorney, Abbe Lowell. In a statement to The Advocate, Lowell characterized the arrest as retaliation for Lemon's reporting on protests in Minneapolis and St. Paul following deadly encounters between federal agents and civilians"
Pam Bondi publicly announced the arrest of Don Lemon and three others, stating federal agents acted at her direction in connection with a coordinated attack on a St. Paul church. The White House amplified the announcement with a post naming Lemon and alleging involvement in the St. Paul church riots, while citing no charges or court filings. Lemon was taken into custody in Los Angeles while covering the Grammy Awards. Lemon's attorney characterized the arrest as retaliation for his reporting on protests in Minneapolis and St. Paul after deadly encounters involving federal agents. Lawmakers, civil rights leaders, and press organizations issued strong backlash, warning of threats to the First Amendment.
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