A stunning development unfolded in Minnesota as journalist Don Lemon found himself briefly charged by the Trump Justice Department in connection with a disruptive protest inside a St. Paul church. The charges, however, were swiftly rejected by a federal magistrate judge, igniting a firestorm of questions and raising concerns about potential overreach.
The protest stemmed from allegations that the church’s pastor had ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Anti-ICE demonstrators, livestreamed by Lemon himself, stormed the church during a service, confronting the pastor and disrupting worshippers. Lemon’s broadcast captured the escalating tension and his own commentary, revealing he was embedded with protestors and aware of their intentions.
The magistrate judge’s refusal to sign the arrest warrant immediately drew scrutiny. Sources close to the proceedings revealed the Minnesota Attorney General was “enraged” by the decision, prompting a surge of Justice Department resources to the state. However, officials emphasized the case wasn’t closed, signaling a continued pursuit of charges against Lemon.
Adding another layer of complexity, it was revealed that the magistrate, Douglas L. Micko, has a familial connection to a high-ranking official within the Minnesota Attorney General’s office – his wife serves as an Assistant Attorney General under Keith Ellison. This connection immediately fueled speculation about potential conflicts of interest influencing the judge’s decision.
The situation escalated further with the arrest of Nekima Levy Armstrong, a prominent BLM activist and key organizer of the church protest. Armstrong now faces a federal charge of Conspiracy Against Rights, a serious offense carrying a potential ten-year prison sentence. Investigators believe she played a central role in orchestrating the disruption.
Prior to the charges being dropped, court records briefly listed Lemon as one of eight defendants. However, the entry was quickly removed, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and a growing sense of intrigue surrounding the Justice Department’s actions and the judge’s unexpected intervention.
The incident highlights a volatile intersection of political tensions, religious freedom, and the role of journalism in documenting – and potentially influencing – contentious events. The Justice Department’s pursuit of alternative avenues to charge Lemon suggests this story is far from over.
