Pam Bondi ‘furious’ after judge dismisses DOJ’s attempt to indict Don Lemon for protesting ICE church

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is reportedly “furious” after a federal magistrate judge rejected the Justice Department’s initial attempt to charge journalist Don Lemon over his coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church.

On January 22, Lemon was temporarily evacuated for reporting in addition to protesters who forced their way into a church in Minnesota this weekend, CNN reported. But Bondi, who has been meeting with federal prosecutors in Minnesota for the past two days, is reportedly outraged by the ruling, and the DOJ could explore alternative avenues to bring charges against the former CNN host.

“The attorney general is furious about the magistrate’s decision,” said a source familiar with the matter.

Lemon, a former CNN anchor who now works independently, joined dozens of protesters who stormed Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18, disrupting a service and setting off tense confrontations over Pastor David Easterwood’s dual role as church leader and acting director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in St. Paul.

Lemon has maintained that he attended the demonstration in a journalistic capacity and not as a protester, a distinction his attorney reiterated in response to the judge’s ruling.

“The magistrate’s reported actions confirm the nature of Don’s First Amendment-protected work this weekend in Minnesota as a reporter,” said Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell. “It was no different than what he has been doing for the past thirty years: reporting and covering newsworthy events on the ground and engaging in constitutionally protected activities as a journalist.”

Despite a Minnesota federal magistrate judge’s refusal to approve charges related to the protest, insiders warn of the case remains open and what the Ministry of Justice can strive for other ways to top up Lemon. Should the DOJ follow through, Lemon is reportedly ready to fight back.

“Should the Department of Justice proceed with a stunning and disturbing attempt to silence and punish a journalist for doing his job, Don will call out their latest attack on the rule of law and fight all charges vigorously and thoroughly in court,” Lowell said.

While Lemon avoided charges, Bondi announced arrests in connection with the church protest, including St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Louisa Allen and civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, whom she accused of helping organize the protest. A third person, William Kelly, was later arrested.

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