Don Lemon and three other journalists were placed into custody on the night of Thursday, Jan. 29th, in connection with a protest at Minnesota church service earlier this month.

Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, were arrested, according to an X post by Pam Bondi, “in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota,” (Bondi, Jan 30th).

According to NBC News, Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement “Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case, this unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand… Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.” (Reilly, Melas, Lavietes, Jan. 30th).

Demonstrators, such as Lemon, protested at the service because its pastor, David Easterwood, allegedly works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The federal government cited the FACE Act to justify the arrest of Lemon. The federal statute prohibits the use of force or intimidation to anyone trying to access reproductive services, but also contains provisions that cover houses of worship.