Don Lemon The night he was arrested and the events that followed are revealed. He also alleged that the agents did not have a printed copy of the warrant and that they denied him the right to make phone calls. Lemon said he believed it was an attempt to “embarrass, intimidate, and instill fear.”
Don Lemon talks to Jimmy Kimmel about his arrest
The former CNN correspondent recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Appeared on. There he explained in detail the events leading up to his arrest on January 29, 2026.
Lemon began to explain that he had attended pre-Grammy parties and was headed to his room. “I pressed the elevator button and suddenly I felt that I was being pushed and people were trying to grab and handcuff me,” he said.
The 59-year-old man said he wanted to know who they were. When he identified himself, they asked for his arrest warrant. He further explained that the agents did not have an arrest warrant at the time, and they had to wait for an FBI agent to arrive with a warrant. He alleged that the warrant was on the cellphone rather than a physical copy.
The Don Lemon Tonight host also described the incident as a “waste of resources” because he had already agreed to “turn himself in.” Earlier in the show, he admitted to knowing about rumors about his impending arrest, after which he “hired” a lawyer. But when his lawyer contacted the concerned department, he said he did not receive any response.
Lemon stressed that the arrest was a “waste of resources”. He further said that he believed they were trying to “embarrass, intimidate and create fear”.
The former Today host said authorities kept him in a holding room. She then alleged that he denied her the right to “one phone call”. However, she said she eventually managed to convince an FBI agent to turn her belongings over to her husband. This is how her husband came to know about the arrest. After Lemon posted personal recognizance bond, a judge ordered his release the next day (via). nbc).
Authorities arrested Lemon for his alleged involvement in disrupting a church service during an anti-ICE protest. It took place on January 18, 2026 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They were charged with conspiring against the rights of religious freedom at a place of worship and causing injury, intimidation and interference with the exercise of the right to religious freedom at a place of worship.
Originally reported by Harsh Panduranga Mandatory.