Lemon is trying to claw back his relevance. But this isn’t the attention he wants.
Because Don Lemon is humiliated after he made this braindead statement on camera.
Lemon’s Inflammatory Accusations Target Harassed Churchgoers
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who was embedded with anti-ICE protesters during their disruption of a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, has drawn criticism for his sharp comments on the parishioners.
In an interview with the “I’ve Had It” podcast, Lemon accused the church members of entitlement rooted in white supremacy, stating: “I think people who are in religious groups like that — it’s not the type of Christianity that I practice — but I think they’re entitled, and that entitlement comes from white supremacy.” He added: “They think this country was built for them, that it’s a Christian country.”
The incident involved protesters storming the sanctuary, chanting slogans, and confronting attendees over claims that a pastor had ties to ICE.
Lemon livestreamed parts of the event and later interviewed Pastor Jonathan Parnell. Video evidence reportedly showed Lemon had prior knowledge of the group’s plans, despite his claims of journalistic detachment.
DOJ Scrutiny and Lemon’s Defense
The Department of Justice, through Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon for Civil Rights, announced an investigation into potential violations of the federal FACE Act related to desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers.
Lemon responded to the scrutiny by calling it an intimidation tactic, saying: “I said I don’t understand how I became the face of it when I was a journalist. I do understand that… I’m the biggest name there.”
He attributed the focus on him to his identity, quoting a staffer: “Don, you’re a gay black man in America, and you have a platform. And you’re the biggest name. Of course you’re going to be the person they single out… And they’re gonna make the headline because it plays to their base. And their base is full of racist, bigoted homophobes.”
Broader Context of the Disruption
The protest tied into ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations in the Twin Cities, following the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good during an encounter with an ICE agent.
Protesters targeted the church based on allegations linking a pastor to immigration enforcement.
Lemon’s participation and subsequent framing of the churchgoers as problematic have fueled backlash, with critics arguing his rhetoric shifts blame from the disruption to the victims of the harassment while he dismisses accountability concerns.
