❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former CNN host Don Lemon and several other far-left activists have been charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act over the storming of a Minnesota church, unsealed indictments show.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Don Lemon, far-left activists, and Harmeet Dhillon.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The indictment was unsealed on January 30, just hours after Lemon’s arrest.
💬KEY QUOTE: “He took steps to maintain operational secrecy by reminding co-conspirators to not disclose the target of the operation and stepped away momentarily so his mic would not accidentally divulge certain portions of the planning session.” – Indictment
🎯IMPACT: Lemon and his co-defendants could be facing months in prison for their actions.
Far-left former CNN host Don Lemon has been hit with two separate charges for his role in the storming and invasion of a Minnesota church earlier this month, including under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which also protects religious institutions. Lemon is listed with several other plaintiffs who took part in the invasion in a grand jury indictment, which was unsealed on January 30.
Lemon and his co-defendants are charged with Conspiracy Against the Right of Religious Freedom at a Place of Worship and attempting to injure, intimidate, and interfere with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship under the FACE Act.
The indictment accuses Lemon of purposely trying to hide the actions of the group prior to the storming of the church, saying he “took steps to maintain operational secrecy by reminding co-conspirators to not disclose the target of the operation and stepped away momentarily so his mic would not accidentally divulge certain portions of the planning session” during a livestream broadcast.
The indictment further states that Lemon told his audience, “We’re going to head to the operation. Again, we’re not going to give any, any of the information away,” as well as communicating with others participating in the invasion and telling them to maintain operational security. It also notes that Lemon and his co-defendants did not leave the church when asked to by the pastor.
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon commented on the case, saying, “Being a journalist is not a badge or a shield that protects you from criminal consequences.” Many, including the federal government, believe he was not present for the church invasion as a journalist, but as an active participant in the demonstration. At minimum, his “reporting” from the scene was highly partisan, with intruders being told “Thank you for your service” while church members were subjected to hostile interrogations.
The church was allegedly targeted as the far-left activists believed that one of its pastors worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
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