Don Lemon Defends Journalistic Integrity Amid DOJ Warnings and High-Profile Backlash
Independent journalist Don Lemon is standing his ground after the Department of Justice issued a stern warning following his coverage of a Minneapolis protest. The controversy, centered on a demonstration at a local church against ICE, has also drawn sharp condemnation from rapper Nicki Minaj and former President Donald Trump, both of whom have publicly called for Lemon’s incarceration.
On Sunday, January 18, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon took to social media to rebuke the former CNN anchor. Dhillon criticized Lemon for distributing footage of the protest at Cities Church in St. Paul—a congregation led by David Easterwood, an ICE agent who serves as a pastor. Dhillon characterized Lemon’s reporting as “pseudo-journalism” that interfered with a religious service.
“A sanctuary is not a public stage for your activism,” Dhillon stated, suggesting Lemon played a role in orchestrating the event. She reminded the journalist that houses of worship are shielded by federal criminal and civil statutes, concluding her post with the definitive warning: “You are on notice!”
Lemon Rebuts “Manufactured Outrage”
Responding to the allegations via Fox News Digital, Lemon expressed concern over being singled out. “It is telling that I am being portrayed as the face of a protest I was simply documenting—especially considering I wasn’t the only member of the press on-site,” he remarked.
Lemon further addressed the wave of hostility he has encountered online, noting a surge in homophobic and racist vitriol from political extremists. He argued that public attention would be better spent scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the death of Renee Nicole Good—the tragedy that ignited the protests—rather than attacking the messenger. “I stand by my reporting,” he affirmed.
A Public Feud with Nicki Minaj
The situation escalated when Nicki Minaj launched a profanity-laced tirade against Lemon on X (formerly Twitter). Enraged by the footage of the church protest, the rapper demanded Lemon be jailed, labeling his behavior “disgusting” and “thug-like.”
When critics pointed out Minaj’s use of homophobic slurs against Lemon, who is openly gay, she doubled down. She claimed the provocative language was a calculated move to ensure the media wouldn’t ignore Lemon’s “despicable behavior.”
Lemon dismissed Minaj’s commentary during a statement to TMZ, suggesting the hip-hop star lacks a fundamental understanding of the role of the press. He characterized her remarks as weighing in on complex matters “above her capacity.”
The Context: The Killing of Renee Nicole Good
The tension in Minnesota stems from the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross during an enforcement action. While the Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security maintain that Ross acted in self-defense, conflicting video evidence suggests Good was attempting to drive away from the confrontation rather than toward the agent.
During the Sunday service disruption, protesters interviewed by Lemon echoed the sentiment that “enough is enough,” citing Good’s death as the primary reason for their direct action.
Trump Joins the Fray
Donald Trump intensified the pressure on Monday by amplifying a post on Truth Social that suggested Lemon deserves a prison sentence. The post compared the situation to activists at abortion clinics who received heavy sentences, though the specific legal comparison remained vague. Despite the threats of legal action and political pressure, Lemon remains steadfast in his commitment to his independent reporting.
