Don Lemon Released From Custody Following Court Appearance, Intends To ‘Fight’ Case

Don Lemon faced a judge for the first time on Friday afternoon following his shocking arrest on Thursday, January 29, in Los Angeles, while on hand to cover the 68th annual Grammy Awards.

The famed former CNN journalist, who now hosts his own successful YouTube program “The Don Lemon Show,” went before a judge on Friday afternoon after he was taken into custody regarding his coverage of the Minnesota ICE protests.

On Friday afternoon, January 30, Lemon was formally released from custody, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “He’s committed to fighting this case,” Lemon’s attorney Marilyn Bednarski, said, adding that Lemon intends to plead not guilty.

U.S. District Judge Patricia Donahue allowed Lemon to be released on a no money bond.

According to the 14-page indictment that was recently unsealed, Lemon “is charged with conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshipers,” per the Associated Press.

Following his release, Lemon stood outside the courthouse before the media and issued a brief statement.

“I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now there is no more important time that right night to cover the news…I will not stop now. I will not stop ever. I will not be silenced, I look forward to my day in court,” Lemon said.

Don Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, issued a statement on his behalf across social media platforms confirming that the 30-year journalist had been arrested by federal agents while in town for Grammys coverage.

“Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards,” the statement began. “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done."

"The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable," the statement continued. "There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work.”

Additionally, the statement noted that Lemon plans to fight the charges vigorously in court:

“This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court."

On Thursday, January 22, shortly after Department of Justice (DOJ) head Pam Bondi called for Lemon’s arrest for covering a Minnesota ICE protest at a local church, a judge declined to charge him, which reportedly “enraged” Bondi, according to CNN.

Bondi is said to have met with federal prosecutors for several days in Minnesota in the days leading up to the judge’s decision to decline charges. CNN’s sources claim the DOJ hasn't given up on charging Lemon, even though its first attempt was unsuccessful.

Newly-minted MAGA poster girl Nicki Minajtook to X, formerly known as Twitter, about Lemon's Minnesota ICE protest coverage and called for his arrest,

"DON' C-CK SUCKIN' LEMON IS DISGUSTING. HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!," Minaj’s post read.

The journalist didn’t mince words in his response to the rapper.

He fired back, saying, "Nicki Minaj will do anything that is expedient for her politically. And again, she's ignorant. She doesn't know what she's talking about, and she's always weighing in on things she doesn't know about. Nicki Minaj should just sit the f-ck down."

"She doesn't understand politics, she doesn't understand journalism, and I'm not surprised that she's weighing in on something that is beyond her capacity," Lemon added.

Following the ICE protest on Sunday, January 18, Lemon issued a statement to Fox News Digital regarding his on-the-ground reporting and extreme backlash from the Trump administration.

Lemon wasted no time slamming the administration and the DOJ for focusing on his actions as a journalist instead of the source of the ICE protests, the death of Renee Good, who was reportedly killed by ICE officers.

The journalist said it’s “notable that I’ve been cast as the face of a protest I was covering as a journalist — especially since I wasn’t the only reporter there. That framing is telling."

"What’s even more telling is the barrage of violent threats, along with homophobic and racist slurs, directed at me online by MAGA supporters and amplified by parts of the right-wing press," Lemon added. “I stand by my reporting.”