Manny Ita
Journalist Don Lemon spoke out forcefully against his arrest after leaving a Los Angeles courtroom on Friday, vowing that legal challenges would not deter his reporting. According to the Justice Department, the 59-year-old former CNN anchor has been charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and interfering with First Amendment rights. The charges stem from Lemon’s coverage of a protest at a Minnesota church earlier this month.
Standing outside the federal courthouse, Lemon addressed a gathering of reporters to defend his professional conduct. “I have spent my entire career covering the news,” Lemon said. “I will not stop now. In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.” He further emphasized his reliance on constitutional protections, stating, “The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told People that the specific charges include 18 USC 241, Conspiracy to Deprive Rights, and 18 USC 248, a violation of the FACE Act, which involves interfering by force with someone’s First Amendment rights. Despite the severity of the charges, the government’s initial efforts to secure an arrest warrant faced judicial pushback. A federal magistrate judge in Minneapolis originally refused to sign the warrant, citing a lack of evidence of a crime. This decision was later upheld when the Justice Department’s appeal was denied by a federal appeals court.
During Friday’s proceedings, government prosecutors requested that the judge impose a $100,000 bond and restrict Lemon’s travel to New York and Minneapolis. The judge denied both requests, allowing Lemon to remain free without those specific conditions. Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, characterized the prosecution as a politically motivated maneuver in a statement released after the hearing. “This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand,” Lowell said. “Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.” The Justice Department has not yet responded to requests for further comment.
