E-Paper
Don Lemon charges: What to know on the magistrate judge refusing to sign DOJ's complaint
DOJ's efforts to charge Don Lemon failed after a magistrate declined the complaint; three activists were arrested, and claims naming the judge were false.
As charges against the activists involved in the protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday were announced, an update emerged on whether Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor, could be charged for his alleged role in the protest.
CBS News first reported that the Department of Justice (DOJ) tried to pursue charges against Don Lemon, but it fell through after a Minnesota federal magistrate judge refused to sign the DOJ's complaint. As of Thursday afternoon, the DOJ has announced the arrest of three activists: Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly.
Some social media accounts are claiming that the magistrate judge in question is Zia Faruqi, however, the information if false. Faruqi serves as a federal magistrate judge in Louisiana, not Minnesota. The identity of the judge involved in signing the DOJ's complaints today has not been identified.
For instance, here's a popular X account that claims that the judge involved in the case was Faruqi.
Thus, amid all the misinformation spreading around the judge involved in dealing with the DOJ's complaint, let's take a look at what we know for sure about the Minnesota federal judge.
What We Know On Minnesota Magistrate Judge
As of now, the DOJ has not officially confirmed that its complaint was refused by a federal magistrate judge. It was reported by CBS News, citing sources. The name of the judge was not mentioned in the report.
Lemon was present on Sunday evening at the Cities Church when protestors stormed the service. He livestreamed the protests on social media. The 59-year-old claims he was present at the protest in his capacity as a journalist documenting the events. Lemon has clarified that he is not part of any of the activist groups involved in it.
Also read: Did Don Lemon just lose press credentials? Here's the truth behind viral claim
However, the DOJ had placed Lemon "on notice" and confirmed intentions to pursue charges against the former CNN anchor. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon had said on a podcast being a journalist is not "a shield that protects you from criminal consequences."
The reports on the DOJ failing to pursue charges against Lemon come as Attorney General Pam Bondi has been staying in Minnesota for the last two days, overseeing prosecution related to the protests. Per the CBS sources cited in the report, Bondi was "enraged" with the judge over the refusal.
The protest Cities Church was linked to the links of one of their eight pastors, David Easterwood, to the ICE.
