All places of worship—synagogues, mosques, churches, temples, and beyond—deserve absolute respect and protection from any form of disturbance or intimidation.
The First Amendment safeguards religious freedom, and laws like the FACE Act (18 U.S.C. § 248) explicitly prohibit intentional interference with worship services through force, threats, or obstruction, regardless of the protesters' cause. This applies equally to all faiths, and disruptions like the one at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2026, set a dangerous precedent if not addressed firmly.
We condemn the actions of Don Lemon and the group of activists who stormed Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, in clear violation of the FACE Act.
Christians everywhere should demand that the Department of Justice arrest those who participated. We must protect religious liberty in this country.
Concern about escalation is shared by many critics: If no accountability follows, it could encourage copycat disruptions of religious services (Christian, Jewish, or others) amid heated immigration debates.
Lemon fired
Don Lemon was fired from CNN in April 2023 after 17 years with the network. Based on reports from CNN itself, major outlets like BBC, AP News, and Wikipedia, as well as Lemon's own statements, the primary reasons cited were a series of on-air controversies and behind-the-scenes issues:
Sexist comments about Nikki Haley: In February 2023, during a discussion on "CNN This Morning," Lemon said the then-51-year-old Republican presidential candidate was not "in her prime" (defining a woman's prime as her 20s, 30s, or maybe 40s). This drew widespread backlash as misogynistic, leading to an apology, time off air for "sensitivity training," and criticism from Haley herself.
bbc.com +3
A Variety investigation detailed a history of reported incidents, including Lemon allegedly calling female colleagues "fat," questioning Soledad O'Brien's Black identity in a staff meeting, and other claims of sexist or racist remarks. He had previously been demoted to weekends and reportedly barred from co-hosting with women due to complaints. Additional on-air gaffes included arguing men's soccer deserved higher pay because it's "more entertaining" and asking a contributor if a verbal slip was due to "mommy brain."
en.wikipedia.org +1
Lemon s move to the morning show was seen as a "disastrous run" with low viewership. Some sources also note a tense interview with Vivek Ramaswamy as a contributing factor, though not the main one.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has already launched an investigation into the January 18, 2026, disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where protesters (with Don Lemon livestreaming and participating) entered during a worship service, screaming slogans like "ICE out," confronted the pastor, and caused the service to halt amid fear among congregants (including families and children).
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon (Civil Rights Division) announced the probe, stating it examines potential violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act (18 U.S.C. § 248). This federal law prohibits:Using force, threats of force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, or interfere with someone seeking to exercise religious freedom (including attending or conducting worship services).
Don Lemon is a blithering idiot and what he did by storming that church is criminal. That cannot be tolerated in the United States of America and he needs to go to jail for it. Trespassing at the very least. Inciting violence comes to mind if anyone was hurt in the ordeal. That church should press charges.
https://x.com/SonnaSamson/status/2013204619896238328
Damaging or destroying property of a place of religious worship because of its religious character. It applies to houses of worship (churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.) and carries penalties including fines and prison time (up to 1 year for first offenses involving non-violent obstruction; higher for force or injury). The FACE Act was originally for clinic access but explicitly protects religious services from similar interference.
"Lemon claimed the MAGA administration is making stuff up, and that he didn’t storm the church. On his livestream Don Lemon stated “people need to feel terrified. This is what protesting is all about”— after seeing children running out of the church scared."
https://x.com/iAnonPatriot/status/2013087932349923582
"This incident illustrates just how committed many on the Left are to the insane narrative that any enforcement of immigration law, any deportation of illegal aliens (whom even Obama deported, by the way) is some sort of Nazi abuse. They're willing to disrupt the sacredness of a church service to demonize law and order. They're willing to alienate peaceful Americans to spread their radical message. If they did this once, there's no guarantee they won't do it again. It is important, not just for justice in this case, but for religious freedom in America that these agitators get arrested and face charges for what they did here. I thank @AGPamBondi and @HarmeetKDhillon for taking this seriously"
https://x.com/Tyler2ONeil/status/2013097848007536679
"Leftists storming churches in Minnesota and disrupting services is not the First Amendment. Churches are private property. Worship isn’t a protest zone. This isn’t speech, it’s trespassing and harassment"
https://x.com/the_jefferymead/status/2013112364762087439
Storming a Sunday worship service is not “protest.” It’s lawless intimidation. What happened at Cities Church was an anti-Christian power play: activists disrupting prayer, frightening families, and desecrating worship because they hate lawful authority. This wasn’t about “justice.”
It was about dominion who is allowed to gather, who is allowed to worship, and who must submit to the mob.
A society that excuses this will not stop with churches they dislike. And churches that refuse to name this as evil will not be spared next time. Christ’s church is not a public square.
It is holy ground and it must be defended as such.
https://x.com/the_jefferymead/status/2013112364762087439
"Any violation of federal law will be prosecuted."
White House and Trump administration officials (e.g., Press Secretary) condemned it as intolerable harassment of Christians in sacred spaces.As of January 19, 2026 (today), no arrests or charges have been reported against Lemon or the protesters. Investigations like this involve gathering evidence (e.g., video from Lemon's stream, witness statements, intent assessment), which takes time—days to weeks or longer before decisions on prosecution.
Concern about escalation is shared by many critics: If no accountability follows, it could encourage copycat disruptions of religious services (Christian, Jewish, or others) amid heated immigration debates.
The law exists precisely to deter that by treating intentional interference with worship as a federal civil rights crime—similar to how it's enforced against pro-life activists at clinics. Prosecution would send a clear message that such actions cross protected lines, regardless of political motivation.The incident remains fast-moving.
The DOJ probe is the mechanism in play right now—no "allowing" Lemon's actions; they're actively scrutinizing them under FACE Act protections for places like churches and synagogues. If evidence supports charges (e.g., obstruction/intimidation during worship), arrests could follow. I'll note any major updates as they emerge.
#lemon #FACE #DOJ All places of worship—synagogues, mosques, churches, temples, and beyond—deserve absolute respect and protection from any form of disturbance or intimidation.
The First Amendment safeguards religious freedom, and laws like the FACE Act (18 U.S.C. § 248) explicitly prohibit intentional interference with worship services through force, threats, or obstruction, regardless of the protesters' cause. This applies equally to all faiths, and disruptions like the one at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2026, set a dangerous precedent if not addressed firmly.
We condemn the actions of Don Lemon and the group of activists who stormed Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, in clear violation of the FACE Act.
Christians everywhere should demand that the Department of Justice arrest those who participated. We must protect religious liberty in this country.
Concern about escalation is shared by many critics: If no accountability follows, it could encourage copycat disruptions of religious services (Christian, Jewish, or others) amid heated immigration debates.
Lemon fired
Don Lemon was fired from CNN in April 2023 after 17 years with the network. Based on reports from CNN itself, major outlets like BBC, AP News, and Wikipedia, as well as Lemon's own statements, the primary reasons cited were a series of on-air controversies and behind-the-scenes issues:
Sexist comments about Nikki Haley: In February 2023, during a discussion on "CNN This Morning," Lemon said the then-51-year-old Republican presidential candidate was not "in her prime" (defining a woman's prime as her 20s, 30s, or maybe 40s). This drew widespread backlash as misogynistic, leading to an apology, time off air for "sensitivity training," and criticism from Haley herself.
bbc.com +3
A Variety investigation detailed a history of reported incidents, including Lemon allegedly calling female colleagues "fat," questioning Soledad O'Brien's Black identity in a staff meeting, and other claims of sexist or racist remarks. He had previously been demoted to weekends and reportedly barred from co-hosting with women due to complaints. Additional on-air gaffes included arguing men's soccer deserved higher pay because it's "more entertaining" and asking a contributor if a verbal slip was due to "mommy brain."
en.wikipedia.org +1
Lemon s move to the morning show was seen as a "disastrous run" with low viewership. Some sources also note a tense interview with Vivek Ramaswamy as a contributing factor, though not the main one.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has already launched an investigation into the January 18, 2026, disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where protesters (with Don Lemon livestreaming and participating) entered during a worship service, screaming slogans like "ICE out," confronted the pastor, and caused the service to halt amid fear among congregants (including families and children).
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon (Civil Rights Division) announced the probe, stating it examines potential violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act (18 U.S.C. § 248). This federal law prohibits:Using force, threats of force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, or interfere with someone seeking to exercise religious freedom (including attending or conducting worship services).
Don Lemon is a blithering idiot and what he did by storming that church is criminal. That cannot be tolerated in the United States of America and he needs to go to jail for it. Trespassing at the very least. Inciting violence comes to mind if anyone was hurt in the ordeal. That church should press charges.
https://x.com/SonnaSamson/status/2013204619896238328
Damaging or destroying property of a place of religious worship because of its religious character. It applies to houses of worship (churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.) and carries penalties including fines and prison time (up to 1 year for first offenses involving non-violent obstruction; higher for force or injury). The FACE Act was originally for clinic access but explicitly protects religious services from similar interference.
"Lemon claimed the MAGA administration is making stuff up, and that he didn’t storm the church. On his livestream Don Lemon stated “people need to feel terrified. This is what protesting is all about”— after seeing children running out of the church scared."
https://x.com/iAnonPatriot/status/2013087932349923582
"This incident illustrates just how committed many on the Left are to the insane narrative that any enforcement of immigration law, any deportation of illegal aliens (whom even Obama deported, by the way) is some sort of Nazi abuse. They're willing to disrupt the sacredness of a church service to demonize law and order. They're willing to alienate peaceful Americans to spread their radical message. If they did this once, there's no guarantee they won't do it again. It is important, not just for justice in this case, but for religious freedom in America that these agitators get arrested and face charges for what they did here. I thank @AGPamBondi and @HarmeetKDhillon for taking this seriously"
https://x.com/Tyler2ONeil/status/2013097848007536679
"Leftists storming churches in Minnesota and disrupting services is not the First Amendment. Churches are private property. Worship isn’t a protest zone. This isn’t speech, it’s trespassing and harassment"
https://x.com/the_jefferymead/status/2013112364762087439
Storming a Sunday worship service is not “protest.” It’s lawless intimidation. What happened at Cities Church was an anti-Christian power play: activists disrupting prayer, frightening families, and desecrating worship because they hate lawful authority. This wasn’t about “justice.”
It was about dominion who is allowed to gather, who is allowed to worship, and who must submit to the mob.
A society that excuses this will not stop with churches they dislike. And churches that refuse to name this as evil will not be spared next time. Christ’s church is not a public square.
It is holy ground and it must be defended as such.
https://x.com/the_jefferymead/status/2013112364762087439
"Any violation of federal law will be prosecuted."
White House and Trump administration officials (e.g., Press Secretary) condemned it as intolerable harassment of Christians in sacred spaces.As of January 19, 2026 (today), no arrests or charges have been reported against Lemon or the protesters. Investigations like this involve gathering evidence (e.g., video from Lemon's stream, witness statements, intent assessment), which takes time—days to weeks or longer before decisions on prosecution.
Concern about escalation is shared by many critics: If no accountability follows, it could encourage copycat disruptions of religious services (Christian, Jewish, or others) amid heated immigration debates.
The law exists precisely to deter that by treating intentional interference with worship as a federal civil rights crime—similar to how it's enforced against pro-life activists at clinics. Prosecution would send a clear message that such actions cross protected lines, regardless of political motivation.The incident remains fast-moving.
The DOJ probe is the mechanism in play right now—no "allowing" Lemon's actions; they're actively scrutinizing them under FACE Act protections for places like churches and synagogues. If evidence supports charges (e.g., obstruction/intimidation during worship), arrests could follow. I'll note any major updates as they emerge.
#lemon #FACE #DOJ
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