- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Former CNN Journalist Don Lemon Attends 2026 Grammys After Arrest
Lemon was released on his own recognizance following his arrest linked to a Minnesota protest coverage.
Feb. 1, 2026 at 8:47pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Former CNN journalist Don Lemon attended the 2026 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, just days after being released following his arrest in connection with his coverage of an incident in which anti-ICE protesters disrupted a service at a Minnesota church. Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents while in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards and is charged with conspiracy against the rights of religious freedom and an attempt to injure while exercising religious freedom.
Why it matters
The arrest of a prominent journalist like Don Lemon for his coverage of a protest raises concerns about press freedom and the ability of journalists to report on newsworthy events without fear of legal repercussions. This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement, protesters, and the media in the United States.
The details
On January 18, protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, saying one of the pastors is the acting field director of the St. Paul ICE field office. Lemon was at the protest as an independent journalist, posting a video to his Instagram showing the protesters and his interviews with churchgoers and protesters. Three days before the Grammy Awards, on January 30, a judge in Los Angeles allowed Lemon to be released on his own recognizance, without bail.
- On January 18, protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- On January 30, a judge in Los Angeles allowed Lemon to be released on his own recognizance, without bail.
- On February 2, Lemon attended the 2026 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
The players
Don Lemon
A former CNN journalist who was arrested in connection with his coverage of a protest in Minnesota.
Abbe Lowell
Lemon's attorney who said that Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents while in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards.
Pam Bondi
The Attorney General who said that Lemon, Minnesota-based journalist Georgia Fort, and two others were arrested "at my direction."
Timothy Malone
Lemon's husband who accompanied him to the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Georgia Fort
A Minnesota-based journalist who was also arrested in connection with the protest coverage.
What they’re saying
“We're not part of the activists, but we're here just reporting on them.”
— Don Lemon (Instagram)
“The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless of other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court.”
— Don Lemon (Outside the courthouse)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Don Lemon to be released on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement, protesters, and the media in the United States, and raises concerns about press freedom and the ability of journalists to report on newsworthy events without fear of legal repercussions.
