In brief
Former CNN host Don Lemon is facing federal civil rights charges connected to a protest at a Minnesota church. He has hired Joe Thompson, a former federal prosecutor who recently resigned amid disputes with the Trump administration, for legal representation. Lemon has stated his intent to plead not guilty, asserting that he was simply covering the protest as an independent journalist. Thompson had previously led major investigations into fraud cases amid growing tensions over immigration enforcement policies.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In a high-profile legal battle, former CNN host Don Lemon has hired Joe Thompson, a former interim U.S. Attorney who recently resigned during conflicts with the Trump administration. Lemon is one of nine individuals indicted in connection with alleged disruptions during a service at a church in Minnesota, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official served as pastor.
A court document filed on Tuesday reveals that Lemon has engaged Thompson, who was formally leading investigations into extensive fraud cases within the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office before his resignation last month. This transition highlights a significant shift in the legal landscape, as several prosecutors have vacated their positions amid mounting frustrations over current immigration enforcement policies.
The situation escalated following the indictment against Lemon regarding federal civil rights charges during his participation in the protest. Previously, Lemon indicated his intent to plead not guilty, emphasizing that his role was as an independent journalist reporting on the events, not as a participant in the disruption.
Lemon's legal representation comes amid broader scrutiny of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration policy and its consequences, particularly in Minnesota's Somali communities, where many defendants have been implicated in recent fraud cases. The prosecutor's office has suggested that taxpayer losses from these fraud cases could total billions, adding further strain to ongoing immigration policy debates.
The arraignment for Lemon is set for February 13 in federal court in St. Paul.
