By SHR Media

A federal magistrate judge has rejected the Department of Justice’s effort to pursue criminal charges against Don Lemon. The charges were in connection with an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota. This information is according to reporting from Fox News. The ruling stops the case from advancing at the charging stage and prevents prosecutors from proceeding with the proposed complaint.

What Happened at the Church

Earlier this month, a group of activists entered a Minnesota church during an active worship service to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The demonstration unfolded inside the sanctuary and interfered with religious services, drawing attention from both local and federal authorities.

At the time of the protest, Lemon was present at the church and livestreamed portions of the disruption as it occurred. Because of that livestream, federal officials began examining whether his actions constituted journalism or crossed into participation.

As the review continued, prosecutors explored whether Lemon could be charged under federal statutes intended to protect religious services from interference or disruption.

Prosecutors Blocked at the Charging Stage

Despite those efforts, the magistrate judge declined to approve the criminal complaint. That decision effectively blocked the case from moving forward.

This refusal is notable. In most cases, magistrate judges approve charging documents as a procedural matter. Here, however, the judge determined that prosecutors failed to establish probable cause or that the alleged conduct did not meet the legal threshold required under the statute.

In short, the evidence presented did not justify criminal charges.

Press Freedom and Legal Arguments

Throughout the process, Lemon maintained that he was acting in a journalistic capacity. His reporting focused on documenting events as they unfolded rather than organizing, encouraging, or participating in the protest itself.

According to his legal team, charging a journalist for livestreaming a protest would raise serious First Amendment concerns. They argued that such action would effectively criminalize newsgathering activity and create a chilling effect on press coverage of controversial events.

Those constitutional concerns appear to have factored into the judge’s decision.

What Comes Next

As a result of the ruling, Lemon will not face charges stemming from this incident. Still, the report notes that federal prosecutors could attempt to pursue the matter through other legal avenues.

Those options include seeking approval from a different judge or presenting the case to a grand jury.

Other individuals involved in the church disruption were not covered by the ruling and may still face legal consequences under federal law.

Why This Case Matters

The case has drawn national attention due to Lemon’s high-profile media career and the broader political tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. At the same time, it underscores unresolved questions about protest activity, press protections, and the limits of federal authority when journalists cover politically charged events.

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Jersey Joe

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