Appeals Court Rejects DOJ Push for Arrest Warrant in Don Lemon Case

Don Lemon may have thought he could walk away from chaos without consequences but the Justice Department under President Trump is proving otherwise.

In a major development, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that the DOJ had established probable cause to charge the former CNN host for his role in the storming of a Minneapolis church last weekend. The action, part of a radical anti-ICE protest, targeted Cities Church, where one of the pastors is believed to be an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

While the court rejected the DOJ’s emergency request to force a federal magistrate to issue an arrest warrant, it left the door wide open for future prosecution. Sources, including CBS News, confirmed that Don Lemon is one of five individuals the Justice Department wants charged. DOJ officials say they will "pursue charges to the ends of the Earth."

The facts paint a disturbing picture:

• Lemon allegedly coordinated with anti-ICE agitators before the church incursion.

• Protesters stormed the sanctuary during worship, targeting the congregation and disrupting religious services.

• The DOJ is pursuing charges under the FACE Act, which protects Americans' right to worship without threats, harassment, or interference.

Three organizers of the attack, including Black Lives Matter activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, have already been arrested by the FBI. Lemon’s legal team, unsurprisingly, is claiming First Amendment protections, arguing that he was there “as a journalist.” But as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche noted, “Freedom of the press does not extend to trespassing and being embedded with a mob storming a church.”

This isn't journalism it's activism, and potentially criminal behavior. Lemon was not covering the news; he was the news. And while his former employer may look the other way, Americans won’t forget what happened inside that church.

For reference, the FACE Act the very law Democrats weaponized against pro-life activists during the Biden years is now being applied correctly: to protect religious liberty, not abortion clinics. The irony shouldn’t be lost on anyone.

Still, Magistrate Judge Doug Micko, a Clinton-era appointee, declined to sign the arrest warrant, claiming prosecutors hadn’t yet made their case. But the appeals court disagreed, finding that probable cause exists, giving the DOJ several paths forward including a grand jury indictment.

As tensions in Minneapolis grow following a separate federal shooting of an armed suspect during an ICE operation the case against Lemon becomes more symbolic. It marks a shift in how the federal government, under Trump’s leadership, is taking a hard line on those who target churches, law enforcement, and public order.

This isn't just about Don Lemon. It’s about restoring respect for law, faith, and the public square values Democrats and their media allies have eroded for years.

Keep your eyes on this case. And if you're tired of seeing elitists act above the law, share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates and stay informed.