Don Lemon's Arrest By Over 2 Dozen Federal Agents Dubbed 'Wildly Excessive'
By Danielle Jennings on January 30, 2026 at 8:45 PM EST
Don Lemon’s shocking overnight arrest surrounding his coverage of the Minnesota ICE protest continues to make headlines, as the details of the journalist’s detainment are being revealed.
The latest information involves the alarming number of federal agents who were on hand to take the former CNN anchor into custody.
Dozens Of Federal Agents Took Don Lemon Into Custody
While staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles to cover the 68th annual Grammy Awards, Lemon was taken into custody by more than two dozen federal agents, from both the FBI and Homeland Security, according to PEOPLE.
Per the outlet, Lemon was arrested around 11 p.m. local time in Los Angeles at the famed location, when agents showed up at his hotel room door.
Following his arrest, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson issued a statement to the outlet regarding Lemon’s charges.
“Don Lemon is being charged with 18 USC 241, Conspiracy to Deprive Rights, and 18 USC 248, Violation of the FACE Act, interfering by force of someone’s First Amendment rights,” the spokesperson said.
Negative Reaction Surrounded The Number Of Agents Present During Lemon’s Arrest
The overwhelming response to Lemon’s arrest has generally been one of support for the journalist, and when the number of agents on hand to arrest him was released, the sentiment changed to what many believe to be a massive overreach.
“That is wildly excessive. That's treating someone like they have an assault rifle,” one commenter wrote in response to the PEOPLE details. “Two dozen heavily armed to arrest one man, very cowardly,” added another.
An additional comment read, “Our government is now targeting people who don't agree with their authoritarian agenda.”
Another user noted the danger permeating the country under the Trump administration. “We are in real danger of becoming worse than Russia.”
White House Mocks Lemon Online Following Arrest
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the White House openly mocked the award-winning journalist. A black-and-white photo of Lemon from the protest was posted with the caption, “When life gives you lemons,” alongside an emoji of chains.
Per Deadline, Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and the CEO of the Center for Nonviolent Social Change, offered a blistering yet simple response to the post that many deemed racist.
King referred to the message as an example of “immaturity, poor taste, and fascism.”
News Of Lemon’s Arrest Was Initially Shared By His Attorney
Early Friday morning, a statement from Lemon’s attorney Abbe Lowell, on his behalf, stressed that he and his legal team plan to fight the case against him.
“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 statement read.
"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.”
The statement continued noting “the attack on the First Amendment” and the fight that lies ahead.
“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," the statement read.
CNN Came To Lemon’s Defense Despite His Termination In 2023
In a surprising move, Lemon’s former network, CNN, posted a lengthy statement of support on his behalf and that of the other journalists who were arrested alongside him.
“The FBl’s arrest of our former CNN colleague Don Lemon raises profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment,” the network said in a statement, per The Hill.
“The Department of Justice already failed twice to get an arrest warrant for Don and several other journalists in Minnesota, where a chief judge of the Minnesota Federal District Court found there was ’no evidence’ that there was any criminal behavior involved in their work,” the statement said.
CNN also echoed the sentiments of the attack on the First Amendment that were present in Lemon’s statement.
“The First Amendment in the United States protects journalists who bear witness to news and events as they unfold, ensuring they can report freely in the public interest, and the DOJ’s attempts to violate those rights is unacceptable. We will be following this case closely,” the network’s statement concluded.
