Overview
- Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles after a Minnesota grand jury charged him with conspiracy to deprive religious rights and FACE Act violations tied to a Jan. 18 disruption at St. Paul’s Cities Church; he was released without bail and is due in Minneapolis federal court on Feb. 9.
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the case on national TV, saying a grand jury and an appellate judge found probable cause and arguing the conduct went beyond “independent journalism.”
- Government filings allege 30–40 agitators intimidated congregants, forced the service to end and caused an injury, and the indictment says Lemon coordinated with organizers and obstructed worshippers; earlier arrest‑warrant bids were rejected by a magistrate judge.
- Lemon denies wrongdoing in a Substack post quoting scripture, vows to keep reporting, and has retained Abbe Lowell, while CNN and press‑freedom advocates warn the prosecution threatens First Amendment protections.
- The arrest drew polarized reactions, including a standing ovation for Lemon at Clive Davis’ pre‑Grammy gala, President Trump calling him a “sleazebag,” and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticizing the DOJ’s case.