Don Lemon is speaking out on what he calls an effort to "embarrass" him following his arrest after covering aprotest inside a Minnesota church.
The former CNN broadcaster, 59, was arrested Friday, Jan. 30, weeks after covering the protest – reportedly inside the church of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official – according toThe New York TimesandCBS News. In his first interview since the arrest, the independent journalist reflected on his detainment during a Monday, Feb. 2, appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Recalling the moment he was arrested in Los Angeles, Lemon said, "It had to be, maybe, a dozen people, which is a waste of resources because I had told them weeks before ... that I could just go in." He added, "They want that. They want to embarrass you. They want to intimidate you. They want to instill fear. And so that's why they did it that way."
Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon has been arrested on Jan. 29, 2026, days after being present at a protest inside a Minneapolis Church. Don Lemon (left) speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), following a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 3, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Don Lemon attends the 2022 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former CNN host Don Lemon arrested. See his career in photos
Former CNN Anchor Don Lemon hasbeen arrestedon Jan. 29, 2026, days after being present at a protest inside a Minneapolis Church. Don Lemon (left) speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), following a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on September 3, 2025.
After arrest, Don Lemon'spost-CNN pivot faces biggest test yet
After aFriday court appearance, the former broadcaster spoke to the media, saying the Department of Justice federal agents arrested him in the "middle of the night" for "something that I've been doing for 30 years, and that is covering the news." He added, "The First Amendment of the constitution protests that work for me and for countless other journalists. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silent."
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He later appeared atSunday night's Grammy Awards, but did not cover the ceremony.
Lemon was one of several reporters at the protest of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. During the coverage at the center of his arrest, hestreamed for nearly seven hourson his YouTube channel, speaking with congregation members, protestors and one of the church's pastors. During the livestream, Lemon at one point said, "I'm just going to be as respectful as possible. I'm not here to intimidate anybody. I'm just here to chronicle and get some answers."
Why was Don Lemon arrested?
A federal indictment unsealed Friday shows Lemon, another journalist Georgia Fort and several activists present at the protest at the church were charged with multiple counts related to interrupting religious freedoms at a place of worship.
A federal magistrate judge previously rejected a proposed criminal complaint from the Department of Justice for charges against Lemon connected to the protest,CNN,Reuters andCBS Newsreported on Jan. 22, citing anonymous sources.
Contributing: Melina Khan and Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Don Lemon talks arrest on Jimmy Kimmel
