Former CNN journalist Don Lemon attends 2026 Grammys following arrest over Minnesota protest

[ad_1] Former CNN journalist Don Lemon attended the 2026 Grammy Awards, simply days after being launched following his arrest in connection together with his protection of an incident through which anti-ICE protesters disrupted a service at a Minnesota church.

Lemon walked the purple carpet on the Crypto.com Enviornment in Los Angeles on Sunday alongside his husband, Timothy Malone.

Simply three days earlier than the awards, on Jan. 30, a choose in Los Angeles allowed Lemon to be launched on his personal recognizance, with out bail.

Don Lemon arrives on the 68th annual Grammy Awards, Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Lemon's legal professional, Abbe Lowell, stated that Lemon was taken into custody by federal brokers whereas in Los Angeles protecting the Grammy Awards. Federal sources informed ABC Information that Lemon was arrested at a Beverly Hills resort.

Lemon and others are charged with conspiracy towards the rights of spiritual freedom and an try to injure whereas exercising non secular freedom, based on a federal indictment unsealed on Jan. 30.

The incident that led to Lemon's arrest unfolded on Jan. 18, when protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul. The protesters stated one of many pastors is the performing discipline director of the St. Paul ICE discipline workplace. Protesters had been heard chanting "Justice for Renee Good" contained in the church.

Lemon was on the protest as an unbiased journalist. Lemon posted a video to his Instagram on Jan. 18 displaying protesters yelling in addition to his interviews with churchgoers and protesters. Lemon stated on the video, "We're not a part of the activists, however we're right here simply reporting on them."

Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi stated on social media that Lemon, Minnesota-based journalist Georgia Fort, and two others had been arrested "at my route."

At the very least three further folks had been beforehand arrested in reference to the protest. Bondi beforehand stated on social media, "WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP."

In short remarks exterior the courthouse following his launch, Lemon stated he was arrested for "one thing that I have been doing for the final 30 years, and that's protecting the information," and vowed to not cease that work.

"The First Modification of the Structure protects that work for me and for numerous of different journalists who do what I do," he stated. "I stand with all of them, and I can't be silenced. I stay up for my day in court docket."