MINNEAPOLIS — In a significant development, former CNN host Don Lemon has hired Joe Thompson, a former federal prosecutor who recently resigned amid tension with the Trump administration, to represent him amid civil rights charges connected to a protest at a Minnesota church.
Lemon is among nine individuals indicted for their alleged involvement in a disruption during a church service led by an ICE official in St. Paul. Legal documents indicate that Lemon intends to plead not guilty to these charges, asserting he acted purely as an independent journalist during the incident.
Thompson, who formerly led major fraud investigations at the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office, left his position over escalating frustrations tied to the handling of immigration enforcement and the department’s response to fatalities involving federal officers.
The legal predicament began when activists protested the presence of an ICE agent in the church. While Lemon reported live from the scene, he claims he was not part of the direct disruption efforts. His forthcoming arraignment is scheduled for February 13.
This indictment is set against a backdrop of ongoing scrutiny regarding the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly concerning the treatment of Minnesota's sizable Somali community, which has been cited in the broader discourse on immigration-related fraud.
Thompson's departure from the U.S. Attorney’s Office has not been isolated. Various prosecutors have left amidst concern over political influence and operational directives regarding immigration enforcement and public safety measures.
The outcome of Lemon’s legal battle may have wider implications for journalism and civil rights activism, particularly in scenarios where coverage of protests may intersect with government policies on immigration and civil liberties.
