Former CNN host Don Lemon has been put “on notice” by the Department of Justice after he joined and appeared to help amplify an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) mob that stormed a Minneapolis church during a Sunday worship service.
Lemon, who now posts independently online after being fired in disgrace by CNN, entered the church alongside anti-ICE agitators and filmed the disruption.
While appearing to be leading the mob, Lemon told viewers that “the freedom to protest” is what the First Amendment is about.
The crowd of aggressive leftists interrupted a prayer service and targeted the church over a false belief that one of its pastors was the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office.
DOJ Civil Rights Chief Issues Warning
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon forcefully rejected Lemon’s framing and warned that his actions could carry legal consequences.
In a post on X, Dhillon wrote:
“A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest!
“It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws!
“Nor does the First Amendment protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service.
“You are on notice,” Dhillon added in a direct warning to Lemon.
Dhillon also said she is coordinating directly with Attorney General Pam Bondi on the matter.
“We are all over it,” Dhillon wrote.
“We are investigating potential criminal violations of federal law.”
A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws! Nor does the First Amendment protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service.
You are on notice! https://t.co/5QASu6N4OE
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) January 19, 2026
In an interview on Monday, Dhillon said Lemon’s claim to be acting as a “journalist” does not necessarily insulate him from liability if he was a participant in unlawful conduct.
WATCH:
BREAKING: DOJ Announces Intention to Charge Don Lemon under the Ku Klux Klan Act.
The KKK Act makes it illegal to threaten, hurt, or intimidate people to prevent them from exercising their God-given rights.
HARMEET DHILLON: "The Klan Act is one of the most important federal… pic.twitter.com/GWnXAMtWc9
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 19, 2026
Incident Part of Broader Federal Civil Rights Probe
The church disruption is now part of a broader DOJ civil rights investigation tied to escalating anti-ICE unrest in Minnesota.
As Slay News previously reported, the Justice Department has launched investigations into the intimidation of Christians, interference with religious worship, and potential obstruction of federal law enforcement.
That investigation follows a series of incidents in which anti-ICE activists have targeted federal agents, private citizens, and religious institutions amid protests sparked by the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good.
Federal officials have made clear that disrupting worship services and harassing congregants crosses clear legal lines.
Attorney General Bondi has stated that attacks on law enforcement and the intimidation of Christians will be met with “the full force of federal law,” and the Civil Rights Division has confirmed it is actively pursuing potential violations.
Lemon’s Role Under Scrutiny
Lemon was fired by CNN in 2023 after 17 years at the network and now hosts an independent online program.
While he has portrayed his presence at the church as journalistic coverage, DOJ officials have indicated that filming while embedded with agitators and participating in the disruption of a protected religious service may expose him to legal risk.
Lemon also appeared to be egging on the activists by promoting false claims while harassing worshippers and church leaders.
WATCH:
NEW: Don Lemon tries lecturing a pastor on the First Amendment after a mob of far leftists stormed a church in Minneapolis.
Pastor: “This is unacceptable. It's shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship…”
Lemon: “Listen, there's a constitution, the First… pic.twitter.com/joHdCvaXe6
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 18, 2026
As of publication, “The Don Lemon Show” has not issued a public response to the DOJ warning.
The investigation remains ongoing.
More developments are expected as federal authorities continue reviewing the incident and Lemon’s role in it.
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