The Department of Justice (DOJ) is vowing to pursue charges “to the ends of the Earth” against former CNN host Don Lemon for his role in storming a St. Paul, Minnesota, church with a group of anti-ICE activists.
The warning was issued by Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
Speaking during a Friday interview with Megyn Kelly, Dhillon said the department is continuing to explore avenues to prosecute Lemon despite a federal magistrate judge in Minnesota declining to authorize charges against him on Thursday.
The judge did, however, approve arrests for three activists tied to the incident.
“We are going to do it because that is what is required for justice here,” Dhillon said.
“From Sunday, when I first saw the video that Don Lemon himself put out about his conduct that day, it was clear to me that we have the predicates for pursuing FACE Act and conspiracy.”
The FACE Act makes it a federal crime to use force, threats, or physical obstruction to “injure, intimidate, or interfere with” individuals lawfully exercising their First Amendment right to religious freedom at a place of worship.
“We have aggressively and very rapidly sought legal process,” Dhillon added.
“He is not out of legal jeopardy and he has lawyered up — he has a prominent lawyer — and we’re gonna pursue this to the ends of the Earth.”
WATCH:
Lemon responded Thursday to reports of potential charges with a brief message, saying, “Here I am.”
His attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that Lemon’s conduct was protected by the First Amendment, claiming he joined the scene solely “as a reporter.”
“It was no different than what he has done for more than 30 years, reporting and covering newsworthy events on the ground and engaging in constitutionally protected activity as a journalist,” Lowell said in a statement.
He added that Lemon would “fight any charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
Justice Department officials have pushed back on that characterization.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said earlier this week that press protections do not extend to participating in unlawful conduct.
“Freedom of the press extends to a lot of different areas,” Blanche told Fox News’s Will Cain.
“It does not extend to somebody just trespassing and being embedded with a group of rioters and being part of the group that storms inside of a church.”
WATCH:
.@DAGToddBlanche: Freedom of the press extends to a lot of different areas. It does not extend to somebody just trespassing and being embedded with a group of rioters and being part of the group that storms inside of a church… the fact that Mr. Lemon thought that was a good… pic.twitter.com/I7kXXsitE3
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 19, 2026
Blanche added that Lemon’s attempt to frame the incident as journalism would ultimately be tested in court.
The incident at the St. Paul church has drawn national attention amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement and a growing federal response to disruptions of religious services.
However, the Justice Department is signaling that it intends to set a clear line between lawful reporting and unlawful participation.
READ MORE – Tulsi Gabbard Unloads on Don Lemon’s Anti-Church ‘Protestor’ Mob: ‘Demoniac’
Our comment section is restricted to members of the Slay News community only.
To join, create a free account HERE.
If you are already a member, log in HERE.