A federal magistrate judge has rejected an attempt by the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against former CNN host Don Lemon, stemming from his presence at a controversial protest that disrupted a Sunday church service in Minnesota.
According to reports, the magistrate judge declined to sign off on a charging complaint sought by federal prosecutors. The decision represents a setback for the Justice Department as it weighs potential next steps in a politically charged and closely watched case.
“The Attorney General is enraged at the magistrate judge’s decision,” a source said to CNN, adding that Pam Bondi has spent the past two days in Minnesota meeting with federal prosecutors following the incident.
The controversy centers on a protest that took place earlier this month inside Cities Church, where a group of anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement activists entered the sanctuary during a Sunday worship service. The demonstrators interrupted the service with chants and questions directed at Pastor David Easterwood, whom protesters claim also serves as an acting field director for ICE.
The demonstration came in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of a Minnesota resident, Renée Good, by an ICE agent.
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
Lemon, who attended the event and livestreamed portions of the disruption, has maintained that he was present solely in a journalistic capacity. In video footage he later posted to YouTube, Lemon can be heard telling those around him, “I’m just here photographing, I’m not part of the group… I’m a journalist.”
Federal officials, however, have questioned that characterization. Lemon appeared alongside dozens of protesters as they rushed into the church, leading to tense exchanges with parishioners and a chaotic interruption of religious worship.
The Justice Department has already arrested and charged two activists involved in the protest, Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, according to CNN. Lemon has not been formally charged, but DOJ officials have indicated the matter remains under review.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon publicly warned Lemon in the days following the incident, suggesting that even journalists could face legal exposure if they participate in or facilitate disruptions of protected spaces. Federal officials have pointed to laws safeguarding houses of worship, including statutes designed to protect religious freedom and prevent conspiracies against civil rights.
Lemon himself has framed the issue as a First Amendment dispute, arguing that the public has a right to see and understand what occurred inside the church that day. The magistrate judge’s refusal to authorize charges does not necessarily end the matter. DOJ sources told CNN that prosecutors could explore alternative legal avenues if they choose to continue pursuing the case. For now, the ruling leaves Lemon uncharged.
