Federal Arrests Follow Minnesota Church Protest, Jasmine Crockett and Top Democrats Speak Out
Another independent journalist and two others have been taken into federal custody, intensifying concerns over press freedom and the federal government’s response to protest coverage.
Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly took credit for directing federal arrests this week that included journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, Black Lives Matter Minnesota co-founder Trahern Jeen Crews, and activist Jamael Lydell Lundy in connection with a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Fort, an independent journalist and Emmy winner, livestreamed the moments before her arrest Friday on Facebook Live, telling viewers “agents are at my door right now” with an arrest warrant and a grand jury indictment.
“I don’t feel like I have my First Amendment right as a member of the press because now the federal agents are at my door arresting me for filming the church protest a few weeks ago,” Fort said, adding that she knew she was on a sealed list of defendants.
It was not immediately clear if Fort and the two other Minnesotans arrested have attorneys.
Protest Leads to More Arrests
Bondi’s announcement confirmed that Lemon, Fort, Crews and Lundy were taken into custody “in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.”
At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 30, 2026
More details soon.
A prominent civil rights attorney and other people involved in the protest had been arrested last week. Prosecutors have accused them of civil rights violations for disrupting the church service during the Jan. 18 protest, which was organized after reports that one of the church’s pastors held a leadership role with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Federal authorities launched a civil rights investigation after the group disrupted services by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to a 37-year-old mother of three who was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this year.
Escalating First Amendment Concerns
Fort is at least the second member of the press taken into federal custody in connection with the protest. Lemon was arrested Thursday night in Los Angeles, with his attorney Abbe Lowell saying the Justice Department’s focus on journalists rather than federal agents who killed protesters is a “real indictment of wrongdoing.”
“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” Lowell said. “The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable.”
Attorney General Bondi also posted on social media Friday morning confirming the arrest of Lemon and the others present during the protest. “At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy,” she wrote.
As of now, the specifics of the charges against Fort, Lemon, Crews and Lundy have not been fully disclosed, and the situation continues to draw sharp criticism from press freedom advocates and civil rights groups.
Democratic Leaders Condemn Arrests as First Amendment Crisis
The arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort drew immediate condemnation from Democratic leaders, who warned the move represents an escalating attack on press freedom.
“Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were taken into custody for doing exactly what journalists are supposed to do: report the truth,” said U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas. “This is not law enforcement. This is censorship by an authoritarian government.”
Crockett said the Trump administration has “declared open war on the First Amendment,” pointing to increased surveillance of journalists, restricted access to government agencies, and now arrests.
Martin, File)
“They had the audacity to waste your tax dollars going after two Black journalists exercising their constitutional rights — while protecting the murderers of Renee Good and Alex Pretti,” Crockett said, calling the situation a “full-blown constitutional crisis.” She added, “Don Lemon and Georgia Fort must be released immediately.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats would defend press freedom, calling it central to American democracy.
“Thomas Jefferson made it clear he would prefer a country with newspapers over government,” Jeffries said. “That principle defines who we are.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer compared the arrests to tactics used by authoritarian regimes.
“This sends a dark message to journalists everywhere: criticize this administration and watch your back,” Schumer said. “That is not democracy. That is a police state.” He called for Lemon’s immediate release and for the charges to be dropped.
