Don Lemon Pleads Not Guilty in Minnesota Church Protest Case

Lemon and eight other defendants face up to $20,000 in fines and 10 years in prison.

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon departs federal court in Los Angeles on Jan. 30, 2026. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon pleaded not guilty on Feb. 12 to violating federal civil rights laws through involvement with a Minnesota church protest last month.

He did not speak to reporters as he entered the courthouse Friday morning, but supporters stood outside chanting “Pam Bondi has got to go” and “protect the press.”