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Too Much TV: Independent Journalists Don Lemon, Georgia Fort Arrested

Details
Rick Ellis

Here’s everything you need to know about the world of television for Friday, January 30th, 2026:

EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE KIDS, THIS IS A KIDS SHOW YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING
Federal agents arrested former CNN anchor Don Lemon Thursday evening on charges that he violated federal law during a January 18th protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul. Protestors interrupted a service at the church where a top local Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor, chanting "ICE Out!"

Three people who demonstrated at the event were taken into custody last week, including lawyer and social justice activist Nekima Levy-Armstrong and St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Allen. Trump Administration officials had been attempting to arrest Lemon and three others for attending the event, even though Lemon had previously described his role as being "there as a journalist, covering the event."

Federal prosecutors in Minnesota initially sought to arrest Lemon, one of his producers and six other people through a criminal complaint charging them with conspiring to interfere with the civil rights of congregants at the church and with violating the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances or FACE Act, which also covers houses of worship.

That effort had stalled in the courts after Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko refused to sign arrest warrants for Lemon, his producer and four others prosecutors sought to charge.

“The government lumps all eight protestors together and says things that are true of some but not all of them,” the chief judge wrote. “Two of the five protestors were not protestors at all; instead, they were a journalist and his producer. There is no evidence that those two engaged in any criminal behavior or conspired to do so.”

Prosecutors appealed that decision to U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz, who declined to immediately reverse the magistrate’s decision.

It appears that Lemon, independent journalist Georgia Fort, and two participants in the protest (Trahern Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy) were indicted and arrested on Friday based on charges brought by a Grand Jury, where the burden of proof is much lower.

“As a member of the press, I filmed the church protest a few weeks ago and now I’m being arrested for that,” Fort said in a video posted on Facebook. “It’s hard to understand how we have a Constitution, Constitutional rights, when we can just be arrested for being a member of the press."

Following Lemon's arrest, his lawyer issued this statement:

STATEMENT FROM ABBE LOWELL,ATTORNEY FOR DON LEMONDon Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy awards. Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done. The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work.Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case. This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand. Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.


Here is a statement from CNN about the arrest:

CNThe FBl's arrest of our former CNN colleague Don Lemon raises profoundly concerning questions about press freedom and the First Amendment.The Department of Justice already failed twice to get an arrest warrant for Don and several other journalists in Minnesota, where a chief judge of the Minnesota Federal District Court found there was "no evidence" that there was any criminal behavior involved in their work. The First Amendment in the United States protects journalists who bear witness to news and events as they unfold, ensuring they can report freely in the public interest, and the DO's attempts to violate those rights is unacceptable. We will be following this case closely.

Katherine Jacobsen of the Committee to Protect Journalists, issued this statement about Lemon's arrest:

"As an international organization, we know that the treatment of journalists is an indicator of the condition of a country's democracy. The United States is doing poorly." 

The National Press Club has released a statement about the arrest:

National Press Club President Mark Schoeff, Jr. today issued the following statement:“The National Press Club is deeply alarmed by the arrest of journalist Don Lemon by federal agents Thursday night in Los Angeles while he was covering the Grammy Awards.Jailing a journalist for doing their job is dangerous — not only for press freedom, but for the public’s right to know. When reporters risk arrest for documenting events of public interest, the result is fewer witnesses, less accountability, and a more uninformed public.Mr. Lemon’s arrest is linked to his reporting during a Dec. 18 protest at a Minnesota church that included speaking to the pastor, members of the church and protestors. Mr. Lemon was simply practicing the core elements of constitutionally protected journalism: documenting the protest and providing context for the actions unfolding before him. He has stated he was not part of the demonstration. A magistrate judge previously declined to sign a criminal complaint related to that reporting, yet Mr. Lemon has remained subject to federal enforcement. The National Press Club is also concerned by reports that other independent journalists may have been detained in connection with this coverage. If confirmed, such actions would signal a troubling pattern of targeting journalists for newsgathering.Journalism is not a crime. Arresting or detaining journalists for covering protests, public events, or government actions represents a grave threat to press freedom and risks chilling reporting nationwide.The world is watching closely, and the implications of this case extend far beyond any one reporter.

The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University also issued a statement following the arrest:

"The Justice Department’s arrest of journalists reporting on anti-ICE protests is extremely alarming, especially given that multiple judges refused to approve arrest warrants just last week. Reporting on protests isn’t a crime—it’s protected by the First Amendment. The Justice Department should drop these prosecutions, or the courts should throw them out. We are especially concerned about these arrests because they take place against the background of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten the vise around press freedom."

Here is a statement from the Freedom of The Press Foundation

Statement from FPF Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern:“The government’s arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort are naked attacks on freedom of the press. Two federal courts flatly rejected prosecuting Lemon because the evidence for these vindictive and unconstitutional charges was insufficient, and Lemon has every right to document news and inform the public. Instead of accepting that humiliating defeat, the government has now doubled down.“These arrests, under bogus legal theories for obviously constitutionally protected reporting, are clear warning shots aimed at other journalists. The unmistakable message is that journalists must tread cautiously because the government is looking for any way to target them. Fort’s arrest is meant to instill the same fear in local independent journalists as big names like Lemon. “The answer to this outrageous attack is not fear or self-censorship. It’s an even stronger commitment to journalism, the truth, and the First Amendment. If the Trump administration thinks it can bully journalists into submission, it is wrong. We’ve recently seen that even in the Trump era, public pressure still can work. It’s time to do it again. News outlets across the political spectrum need to loudly defend Lemon’s and Fort’s rights. Journalists are not making themselves the story, Trump is.”
And the National Writers Union issued this statement:

As a labor union representing independent media workers, we feel it's important to name that both Lemon and Fort are independent journalists, and that the targeting of independent journalists should be treated with the same gravity as the targeting of those with institutional backing.

The Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, The Minnesota Reformer, Sahan Journal, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:

The Minnesota Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Reformer, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, Sahan Journal, Center for Broadcast Journalism and Minnesota Newspaper Association today released the following statement:“We strongly condemn the arrest of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, as well as any attempt to intimidate members of the press. The First Amendment recognizes the press as holding a distinct and protected role in our democracy. In America, we do not arrest journalists for doing their jobs. The Minnesota journalism community stands united in defense of press freedom and the essential role reporting plays in holding power to account.”


And on the Administration side, the official White House X account tweeted out this reaction, complete with the not-to-subtle Jim Crow chains emojis:

screencap of WH tweet

Lemon is expected is scheduled to appear in federal court in Los Angeles on Friday. It's not clear when the other defendants will have their day in court.

And in case you are wondering, AllYourScreens.com, which is based in Minnesota, also issued a statement about the arrests:

"These arrests aren't about justice or following the "rule of law." They are instruments of intimidation, designed to financially punish independent journalists who will now be faced with massive legal bills for cases that will likely be eventually dismissed. But these cowardly actions won't deter other independent journalists from doing the thing the Trump Administration fears more than anything else: accurate reporting that speaks truth to the powerful and the corrupt."

Honestly, I never thought I would ever be defending Don Lemon. But this is now the world we live in.

ODDS AND SODS
* Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello announced a last-minute benefit concert in Minneapolis today at the iconic First Avenue club, featuring punk band Rise Against and "a very special guest," who many assume to be Bruce Springsteen, given the fact they have performed together in the past and that Springsteen has just released his "Streets Of Minneapolis" protest song:

"If it looks like fascism, sounds like fascism, acts like fascism, dresses like fascism, talks like fascism, kills like fascism and lies like fascism, boys & girls it’s f*cking fascism. It’s here, it’s now, it’s in my city, it’s in your city and it must be resisted, protested, defended against, stood up to, exposed, ousted, overthrown and driven out. By you and by me. We are coming to Minneapolis where the people have heroically stood up against ICE, stood up against Trump, stood up against this terrible rising tide of state terror. Where the people have stood up for their neighbors and themselves, for democracy and justice. Ain’t nobody coming to save us except us and it’s now or never."

100% of proceeds go to the families of those murdered by ICE in Minneapolis Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Given my love of Springsteen, I am incredibly bummed that I can't attend this event.

* Netflix has renewed the Danish crime series The Asset for a second season.

* Production on Grey's Anatomy is dark today amid a call for a national shutdown by University of Minnesota student groups.

READER FEEDBACK:
There has been tons of emails, comments and other feedback from readers over the past few days and here is just a small sampling of it:

"I enjoy your newsletter. I agree totally about including local members of the media or opinion leaders about situations like MSP. I think the cable shows typically have the “same suspects” on their shows versus local people on the ground that could provide context and local flavor or nuance."

--Don K.

"As a lover of Yo Gabba Gabba, The Aquabats are one of the best indie bands out there! High key they promoted a ton of indie bands through that show."

--Mike

"Solid reporting on this CBS move. The irony is kinda wild here - trading newsroom depth for podcast clout might bring short-term attention, but erodes the investigative capacity that actually justifies a news division existing. I've seen similar strategic pivots in media organizations where leadership confuses audience reach with editorial credibility. The coming layoffs paired with these hires suggest Weiss is betting on personality-driven content over institutional journalism."

--N.F.

"The Disney YouTube angle is really underdeveloped. Feels like legacy media execs still think of streaming as the main digital play and overlook ad-supported distribution on platforms they don't control. The 50 million argument you mention is exactly right though, chasing only home runs means leaving real money on the table. Would love to see them test the FAST channel idea with Disney Afternoon content."

A.A.

"Stephanie Hansen’s show is a blast. Our local NBC affiliate airs it at 4 a.m. Sunday morning. I DVR it every week to watch at a responsible time."

--John Hall

"Stephanie is a hoot! First saw her on the Jason Show. So happy she got her own and can stretch out a bit. One segment stands out to me with her and her husband over the grill with rib eyes. The back and forth was funny couple stuff. Agreed. Tofu is just wrong just say ‘no’ to what appears to be a hot dish tofu recipe. For that matter, Tater Tots are borderline."

--Steve

WHAT'S COMING TODAY AND TOMORROW

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30TH:
* Gangham Project Series Premiere (Netflix)
* Inside The 68th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS)
* Miracle: The Boys Of '80 (Netflix)
* Ready To Love Reunion Special (OWN)
* Terri Joe: Missionary In Miami (Tubi)
* The Woman Before Me (LMN)
* Yo Gabba GabbaLand! (Apple TV)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31ST:
* Missing The Boat (Hallmark)
* Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love (Lifetime)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST:
* Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing (Netflix)
* LA Firestorm (Reelz)
* Our Dead Husband (Lifetime)
* Rise Of The 49ers (AMC)
* 68th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS)
* The Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Big Game (The Roku Channel)
* Vanished Series Premiere (MGM+)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND:
* Below Deck Down Under Season Premiere (Bravo)
* Madam Beja (HBO)
* Super Bowl Greatest Commercials: Hall Of Fame Countdown (CBS)

SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND!

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