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.

Lemon and eight other defendants have been charged with one count of “conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship” under 18 U.S. Code § 241. They are also charged with one count of injuring, intimidating, or interfering with the right of religious freedom at a place of worship under 18 USC § 248.