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Don Lemon Pleads Not Guilty in Federal Case Over Minnesota Church Protest

The prosecution tests a rare use of the FACE Act against reporters.

Overview

  • A federal grand jury indicted Lemon and eight others on conspiracy and FACE Act counts tied to the Jan. 18 disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul.
  • Prosecutors told the court they obtained a search warrant for Lemon’s phone and remain in possession of the device.
  • Lemon was released pending trial after arraignment and maintains he was documenting the event in a newsgathering role.
  • Justice Department officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, characterized the episode as a coordinated attack on worshippers’ rights.
  • Co-defendants, including independent journalist Georgia Fort, are due in separate proceedings next week as pretrial fights over evidence and First Amendment protections begin.