Don Lemon Addresses DOJ Warning After Nicki Minaj Urges His Arrest
Don Lemon Responds to DOJ Warning Amid Controversial Coverage of ICE Protest
Don Lemon has addressed recent criticism after the Department of Justice put him “on notice” regarding his coverage of a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis. The event, which took place at a church, has drawn the ire of notable figures, including Nicki Minaj and Donald Trump, who have called for Lemon’s arrest.
In a post shared on social media, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon criticized the former CNN anchor for broadcasting footage from the protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where local ICE agent David Easterwood serves as a pastor. Dhillon referred to Lemon’s reporting as “pseudo journalism” and accused him of disrupting a prayer service, stating, “A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest!”
Dhillon’s statements cast doubt on Lemon’s role in the protest, despite his clarification that he was merely there to document the event as a journalist. “It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws!” she added, concluding with a stern, “You are on notice!”
Lemon replied to the backlash in an interview with Fox News Digital, emphasizing the unfair framing of his actions: “It’s notable that I’ve been cast as the face of a protest I was covering as a journalist — especially since I wasn’t the only reporter there. That framing is telling.” He further commented on the violent threats he has received online, attributing them to supporters of Trump and suggesting that energy spent on outrage would be better directed toward investigating the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good, which originally prompted the protest. “I stand by my reporting,” Lemon asserted.
Minaj also weighed in on the issue, expressing her outrage over Lemon’s coverage. Following her viewing of the footage, she condemned him in a post, exclaiming, “HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!!” However, she faced backlash for using a homophobic slur directed at Lemon, who is openly gay. In a subsequent post, Minaj defended her language, stating it was intended to provoke attention to Lemon’s behavior, which she described as “despicable.”
Beyond addressing the DOJ’s warning, Lemon dismissed Minaj’s comments as that of someone who “does not understand journalism” and advised her to refrain from commenting on complex issues outside her expertise. Minaj has faced scrutiny recently, particularly regarding her alignment with Trump and attendance at MAGA events.
The protest stemming from Good’s death has intensified tensions in Minneapolis following an incident where ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot her during an enforcement operation. The Trump administration has contended that Ross acted in self-defense, but footage suggests that Good was attempting to avoid the confrontation.
Protesters, including those interviewed by Lemon, cited Good’s death as a prime reason for their disruption of the church service. One woman remarked, “Enough is enough.”
In response to the protest, Trump shared a social media post calling for Lemon to face the same legal repercussions as other protesters, referencing an unspecified incident involving “a small group of elderly ladies” protesting at an abortion clinic. The implications of this comparison remain unclear.
