A federal magistrate judge has refused to sign off on criminal charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon, following his involvement in a protest at a Minnesota church over the weekend. This decision has reportedly provoked significant anger from attorney general Pam Bondi, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Legal Standoff Over Church Demonstration
The controversy centres on a demonstration at Cities Church in St Paul, Minnesota, where protesters interrupted a service. Lemon attended and broadcast the event, which targeted a pastor who serves as the acting field director of a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office. Videos of the incident circulated widely, drawing national attention and political commentary.
Political Reactions and Arrests
Former President Donald Trump and other allies have publicly called for Lemon's arrest, with Trump criticising the protest as "horrible" and praising the pastor's composure. In response, Bondi announced the arrest of two other protesters on Thursday morning, emphasising a zero-tolerance policy towards attacks on places of worship in a social media post.
The justice department has not yet commented on the magistrate's refusal to approve charges. This development highlights ongoing tensions between free speech, protest rights, and legal enforcement in politically charged environments.
