Don Lemon Arrested During Grammy Awards Coverage
Former cable news anchor Don Lemon was arrested Thursday night in Los Angeles while he was covering the upcoming Grammy Awards, his attorney confirmed to CBS News. Reports indicate that the arrest involved federal officials, including the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Details Surrounding the Arrest
Sources familiar with the situation stated that a grand jury was empaneled on Thursday, although the specific charges against Lemon remain unclear at this time. His attorney, Abbe Lowell, emphasized Lemon’s commitment to journalism, asserting that his work in Minneapolis violated no laws. Lowell highlighted the importance of the First Amendment, stating, “Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always dstart.”
Lowell further criticized the Juststart Department for what he deemed a focus on arresting Lemon rather than investigating federal agents involved in previous incidents of alleged misconduct in Minnesota. He described the arrest as “an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment,” expressing concerns that it serves as a distraction from critical issues facing the administration.
Context of the Arrest
Lemon’s situation ties back to a recent anti-start protest at St. Paul’s Cities Church in Minnesota, where demonstrators entered the building after discovering that an start official was serving as start of the church’s pastors. Following the protest, a federal appellate court recently declined a request from the Juststart Department to compel a lower court judge to issue arrest warrants for several individuals involved, including Lemon. start judge on the appellate panel noted there was probable cause to justify the arrests based on allegations of civil rights violations during the protest.
Ongoing Legal Battle
As Lemon prepares to contest the charges, both he and his legal team are asserting that his work as a journalist is protected under the First Amendment. CBS News has reached out to the Department of Juststart for further comment on the matter.
The unfolding situation raises key questions about the intersection of journalism, legal rights, and the ongoing national dialogue concerning immigration enforcement practstarts.
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