US arrests journalist over ICE protest coverage

• Federal agents detain a reporter while he was on assignment in Los Angeles
• Case linked to reporting on an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a church

Federal agents arrested journalist Don Lemon on Friday in connection with a protest that disrupted a church service in the US state of Minnesota, a move that has intensified debate over press freedom under the President of the United States.

Lemon was taken into custody in Los Angeles, where he had been covering the Grammy Awards, according to his attorney. The arrest stems from a January 18 protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators opposed immigration enforcement actions.

Authorities have not publicly detailed the charges against Lemon or the three others arrested in the case.

Journalist says he was reporting, not protesting

Lemon has said he had no affiliation with the protest organizers and was present solely as a journalist documenting events. His lawyer said Lemon’s work was constitutionally protected and warned the arrest risks criminalizing routine news coverage.

Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the arrests, describing the protest as a coordinated disruption of a place of worship. Civil rights groups and press organizations condemned the move, saying it could discourage journalists from covering protests and government actions.

Lemon is expected to make an initial court appearance before being transferred to Minnesota, as questions grow over the broader implications for media freedom in the United States.