Don Lemon released after being charged in Minnesota church protest. Live updates.

The Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation into the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday, as the agency arrested and charged former CNN anchor Don Lemon and several others in connection with a protest at a Minnesota church.

The announcement came after the Department of Homeland Security reversed course and handed the reins of a limited "use of force" investigation to the FBI. Initially, the agency's Homeland Security Investigations unit was set to run the probe, but the administration decided against it following calls for an independent inquiry, even from some Republicans.

Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles where he was covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney Abbe Lowell said in a statement, vowing to fight the charges. Two courts in recent days had rejected criminal complaints from the DOJ for charges against Lemon, multiple news outlets reported.

The longtime journalist was released Friday afternoon and vowed that he will not "be silenced."

"I've spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now," Lemon said outside the courthouse in LA. "There is no more important time than right now, this very moment for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable."

Lemon was arrested in connection with covering a protest at a church in Minnesota. The arrests stem from a federal investigation launched after protesters interrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor.

Meanwhile, across the country, protests against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement were underway in communities large and small.

'I will not be silenced,' Don Lemon vows after being released

Don Lemon spoke outside the courthouse in Los Angeles, describing his arrest and vowing to continue working despite the Justice Department’s move to prosecute the longtime journalist for covering a protest.

"Last night, the DOJ sent a team of federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night for something that I had been doing for the last 30 years, and that is covering the news," Lemon said. "The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless other journalists who do what I do."

The arrest without recent precedent of a journalist for covering a protest signals reporting news is more crucial than ever, Lemon said.

"There is no more important time than right now, this very moment for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable," said the longtime reporter. "Again, I will not stop now. I will not stop ever."

Federal agents use chemical irritants on anti-ICE protesters in LA 

Protesters outside the federal courthouse in Los Angeles where Don Lemon appeared were doused by federal agents with a chemical irritant that sent back demonstrators coughing and wiping their eyes.

The clash unfolded at a loading dock at the Edward Roybal Federal Court Building. Roughly 200 protesters had gathered into the vehicle entryway despite two warnings from police to leave the federally-controlled area. Anti-ICE slogans appeared to have been graffitied onto parts of the loading dock.

Tensions spiked when DHS officers and at least one agent in a uniform labeled "federal agent" emerged from the loading dock. Demonstrators surged forward, walking the agents backward. Officers pushed protesters back and a demonstrator fell to the ground.

Around 4:30 p.m. local time, the crowd grew and officers pushing forward from the dock deployed a chemical irritant. Several protesters were seen coughing, turning away, and covering their faces as the agent dispersed through the crowd. 

— Paris Barraza, USA TODAY

Don Lemon released, LA mayor says

Don Lemon will be released from custody on his own recognizance, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told reporters outside the federal courthouse Friday. The term means he is free to go without paying bail on the understanding he will show up for future court appearances.

"I am very glad that our renowned, esteemed reporter Don Lemon will be released on his own recognizance because he should not have been in court anyway," Bass said. 

The LA mayor said the prosecution’s description in court of Lemon’s alleged crimes "made no sense at all."

"What they described as his crime, from my perspective, a layperson's perspective, was the work of a reporter: He went into the church along with the protesters, he covered the story," said Bass. The mayor suggested prosecutors attempted to ask the judge to place travel restrictions on Lemon.

'Do we have a Constitution,' asks reporter after being held 

Georgia Fort, a journalist arrested and charged for covering the same protest as Lemon, made an impassioned plea outside the courthouse Friday in Minneapolis after being released.

"Do we have a Constitution? That should be the pressing question that should be on the front of everybody’s minds," said Fort. "Amplifying the truth, documenting what is happening in our community is not a crime."

The independent journalist said she could not get into the specifics of her case for legal reasons but affirmed her commitment to continue working.

Court documents against Don Lemon unsealed

A federal indictment unsealed Friday shows Don Lemon, another journalist and several activists present at a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor, were charged with multiple counts related to interrupting religious freedoms at a place of worship.

The federal indictment out of Minnesota says Lemon belonged to a conspiracy involving the activists. 

According to court papers, the well-known journalist participated in the conspiracy when at the church he "peppered" the pastor and ICE employee "with questions to promote the operation’s message."

Walz says Homan not bringing promised changes

Gov. Tim Walz slammed Trump’s border czar Tom Homan for not delivering the changes he had promised for immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, where the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good set off protests nationwide.

"Tom Homan says he wants to do things differently, but we have yet to see meaningful change," Walz said in a statement. "The only way to ensure the safety of the people of Minnesota is for the federal government to draw down their forces and end this campaign of brutality."

Walz’s comments come in the wake of Homan pledging "massive changes" in enforcement in Minnesota, including reducing the number of federal agents, targeted enforcement operations and repercussions for agent misconduct. 

'They arrested the wrong Don': Jane Fonda shows up for Lemon

Jane Fonda, the Oscar-winning actress and outspoken activist, showed up outside the courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday to slam the Trump administration over the move to prosecute Lemon.

"They arrested the wrong Don," said Fonda, adding Lemon was "doing his journalistic duty, nothing more, nothing less."

Fonda has been an outspoken critic of President Trump and his administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.

"The arrest of Don Lemon doing his journalistic duty is one more page out of the authoritarian playbook and we say enough is enough," said the actor, whose former husband Ted Turner founded CNN. She urged Americans to stand up for their constitutional rights.

"We have to fight to protect our rights, many of our grandfathers fought and died to protect these rights… Every American has to speak up."

Walz still calling for independent investigation of Pretti shooting

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz renewed calls for an independent investigation in the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti after the FBI assumed control over the investigation from the Department of Homeland Security.

"Trump’s right hand cannot be responsible for investigating his left hand. We need an independent, impartial investigation now," Walz said Friday on X.

In the aftermath of Pretti's death, state investigators sued the Department of Homeland Security, saying federal authorities had blocked them from the scene of the incident. A judge soon ordered DHS not to alter or destroy evidence.

Walz has held talks in recent days with President Trump and Tom Homan, the White House border czar, and signaled hope that state investigators would be able to conduct their own independent investigation into the fatal shooting.

Don Lemon charged in connection with St. Paul church protest

Lemon has been charged with conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshipers in connection with the Jan. 18 protest, multiple news outlets reported, including The Associated Press and NBC News.

Lemon was charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994.  

The law bars, among other actions, “intentionally injuring, intimidating or interfering with” a person attempting to seek or provide services at a reproductive health facility or place of worship. It specifies, however, that the act should not be used to “prohibit any expressive conduct – including peaceful picketing or other peaceful demonstration” protected by the First Amendment. 

Students stage anti-ICE walk out in Springfield, Missouri

Despite below-freezing weather, more than 100 students gathered outside Kickapoo High School's front doors on Thursday morning, Jan. 29. The Springfield, Missouri area students carried signs with messages like "Jesus was an immigrant," proudly displayed a Mexican flag and chanted "Melt the ICE."

It was the second Springfield high school to walk out during class time to show support for immigrant community members. Kickapoo High School students Kylie Edwards and Abriana Padron arranged the half-hour long walkout under the supervision of school staff

Multiple students spoke during the event, reminding others to "use your voice, even if it shakes" to speak out against the way U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are treating people.

-- Susan Szuch of the Springfield News-Leader

Dozens gather for Alex Pretti vigil in Corpus Christi, Texas

In Corpus Christi, more than 100 people held signs, candles and sang "Amazing Grace" at a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti. Paul Hirvasoja, an intensive care unit nurse at Doctors Regional and member of National Nurses United, spoke to attendees about how "the government wants us to believe (Alex) was a domestic terrorist."

"If the government can label Alex as a bad guy, then the government can wash their hands of any wrongdoing in his killing," Hirvasoja said to a crowd of people. "We have seen the videos. We know the truth. Alex was one of us – he was a nurse."

– John Oliva of the Corpus Christi Caller Times

Minnesota AG blasts Trump admin for arresting journalists

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Friday condemned the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, calling it "deeply troubling and contrary to the rights our Constitution guarantees us."

"When the federal government arrests reporters for documenting what is happening in our communities, it violates our rights, undermines our trust, and chills the transparency our democracy needs," he said in a statement. "It sends the message that the powerful may exercise their power in the dark, without scrutiny or accountability."

Ellison is among a group of elected Democrats in Minnesota who were served subpoenas this month from the Department of Justice related to allegations that they impeded federal immigration agents.

As the Trump administration has shifted course in Minnesota following backlash over Pretti's killing, Ellison has met with border czar Tom Homan, who's described the conversations as productive.

NAACP condemns Black journalists' arrests

The country's oldest civil rights group is joining the chorus of outrage over the arrests of two independent journalists – former CNN host Don Lemon and Emmy-winning reporter Georgia Fort – who have covered protests against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in a statement to USA TODAY that the pair's apprehension by federal authorities represents a "blatant assault on the First Amendment," but aligns with other actions taken by the administration in Minnesota.

"If Donald Trump doesn’t like what you’re saying or doing, he will weaponize the federal government to come after you," he said.

– Phillip M. Bailey

Gavin Newsom responds to journalists’ arrests by Trump admin

In a series of posts, the X account for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office, known for taking snarky snips at President Donald Trump, joined a chorus of voices opposing the arrest of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort by federal agents.

“They raided a reporter’s home earlier this month. Today, they arrested journalists,” the office’s first post on Jan. 30 read, referring not only to the arrests but also the FBI search of Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson’s home on Jan. 14. “They are coming for you. Speak out.”

In a second post, almost an hour later, Newsom’s office said, “Silencing reporters isn’t strength. It’s fear.” In a separate Jan. 30 post on X, Newsom said, referring to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, “Putin would be proud.” 

– Terry Collins

Schumer calls Trump admin ‘authoritarian’ regime after Lemon’s arrest

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, spoke out against Lemon’s arrest on the Senate floor Jan. 30, saying “once again” the Trump administration is acting like an “authoritarian” regime.

“They’ve arrested a journalist for the crime of doing his job,” Schumer said. “And let’s be very clear – this arrest is a dark message to journalists everywhere. If you dare criticize this administration watch your back. That’s not a democracy. That’s a police state, and that’s is pure authoritarian bile.”

Schumer called for the charges against Lemon to be dropped.

– Zac Anderson

Students stage walk-out in Knoxville, Tennessee

Students walked out of class or skipped school today to join an ICE Out protest in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. The rally was made up of a ratio of about 40% students to 60% adults, said Knox News reporters at the scene. Drivers passing by the demonstration honked their horns in support.

Ani Larsen participated with a group of school friends and her dad.

“We care about our peers and we believe everyone should get an education,” Larsen said. “And we don’t think that ICE belongs in Knoxville, in schools or anywhere."

Emma Noe, a high school sophomore, told Knox News she feels patriotic. “Our country is built from immigrants from the ground up,” Noe, 16, said. “Our ancestors would be disappointed.”

– Sarah Riley, Allie Feinberg, Keenan Thomas, Hayden Dunbar for the Knoxville News Sentinel

Jeffries says there's 'no basis' for Lemon arrest

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said at a Friday morning news conference that there's "no basis" for Don Lemon's arrest and accused the Trump administration of "systematically" targeting journalists and trying to "intimidate anyone" who won't bend a knee to the president.

"We are not going to be intimidated at at all. The free and fair press is central to the foundation of American democracy," Jeffries said.

Lemon is an accomplished journalist who was doing his job, he said. "There's no legitimacy, no basis to Don Lemon's arrest. No basis to the arrest of the other journalists, and the American people are not going to stand for it."–

– Francesca Chambers

Press advocacy group calls arrests ‘clear warning shots’ 

The Freedom of the Press Foundation condemned Lemon and Fort’s arrests, calling them “clear warning shots aimed at other journalists.” 

“The unmistakable message is that journalists must tread cautiously because the government is looking for any way to target them,” Seth Stern, the organization’s chief of advocacy, said on Jan. 30. 

Stern called for individuals and news outlets to rally around Lemon and Fort in defense of the First Amendment right to the freedom of the press.  

“Journalists are not making themselves the story, Trump is,” Stern said. 

– BrieAnna Frank 

Bondi confirms 4 arrests in church protest, including Don Lemon

In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed confirmed four additional arrests related to the Jan. 18 protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

"At my direction, early this morning federal agents arrested Don Lemon, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia Fort, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, in connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota," Bondi said on X. "More details soon."

Lemon and Fort are both independent journalists who were covering the protest.

Independent journalist says feds knocked at her door seeking arrest

Independent journalist Georgia Fort said federal agents arrived at her home Friday morning with a warrant for her arrest. Fort, like Don Lemon, was among several journalists who filmed a protest at a church in St. Paul on Jan. 18.

"This is all stemming form the fact that I filmed a protest as a member of the media," she said in a Facebook video. "I don't feel like I have my First Amendment right as a member of the press because now federal agents are at my door arresting me for filming the church protest a few weeks ago."

Fort is the vice president of broadcast for the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists, according to its website. She co-founded the Center for Broadcast Journalism, an organization dedicated to providing “emerging journalists with the essential reporting experience, education, and professional connections needed to secure positions in local newsrooms.”

Trump calls Pretti an ‘agitator’ and possible ‘insurrectionist’

President Donald Trump weighed in overnight on video of a confrontation between Alex Pretti and federal agents during a separate altercation that took place less than two weeks before he was shot and killed.

Trump said in a Truth Social Post at 1:26 am EDT that Pretti’s “stock has gone way down” with the release of the video, which shows him yelling at federal immigration agents and kicking in the taillight of their vehicle before he’s tackled to the ground.

“Agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist, Alex Pretti’s stock has gone way down with the just released video of him screaming and spitting in the face of a very calm and under control ICE Officer, and then crazily kicking in a new and very expensive government vehicle, so hard and violent, in fact, that the taillight broke off in pieces,” Trump wrote.

“It was quite a display of abuse and anger, for all to see, crazed and out of control. The ICE Officer was calm and cool, not an easy thing to be under those circumstances!”

The Jan. 13 video does not show the moments leading up to the confrontation, in which Pretti appeared to spit the at the vehicle and yell "trash" before kicking in the taillight. An agent can be seen getting out of the back seat of the vehicle and grabbing Pretti afterward, as other agents surround him. After being subdued, he was released. 

The Department of Homeland Security has said it is reviewing the footage, which emerged on Jan. 29.

– Francesca Chambers

Anti-ICE shutdown protests planned nationwide

Protests against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement are set to take place in cities across the U.S.

Organizers called for a boycott of school, work and shopping – mirroring a protest in Minnesota that saw tens of thousands take to the streets in below zero temperatures. During that protests, dozens of pastors who staged a sit-in at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport were arrested.

“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country – to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” organizers wrote in a statement.

Some of the largest protests are expected in Minneapolis and New York City amid frigid conditions.

Don Lemon arrested after St. Paul church protest

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles in connection with a protest at a St. Paul church, his lawyer said in a statement.

Lemon was one of several journalists in attendance at the protest of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, speaking with congregation members, protesters and one of the church's pastors, all shared in a nearly seven-hour livestream available on Lemon's YouTube channel.

A federal magistrate judge had previously rejected a proposed criminal complaint from the Department of Justice against Lemon, multiple outlets reported.

“This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand," Lemon's lawyer Abbe Lowell, said in a statement. "We will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”

Border czar vows changes in Minnesota

Homan on Thursday morning said "massive changes" are coming to the federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota and vowed to "draw down" the number of ICE and other federal agents in the state. It's unclear how Homan's aim to draw down the number of agents aligns with Trump's stance not to pull back.

The border czar promised agents acting unprofessionally will "be dealt with" and that enforcement actions will look more like they did before Trump’s inauguration last year, with agents conducting "targeted enforcement operations."

According to Homan, fewer agents will be needed after the state’s county jails agreed to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement of inmates in the country illegally so that ICE can take custody of them upon their release.

"More agents in the jail means less agents in the street," he said. "This is common sense cooperation that allows us to draw down the number of people we have here."

-Joey Garrison

Tracking Trump officials’ shifting rhetoric on Alex Pretti

The Trump administration moved quickly to portray Alex Pretti as a grave threat to law enforcement after the 37-year-old intensive care nurse was shot and killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Pretti was branded a domestic terrorist by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who also labeled him an “assassin” and shared a statement from DHS saying he appeared poised to “massacre law enforcement.”

Yet, as uproar over the shooting grew, videos of the incident spread and the administration's narrative unraveled, the White House changed course and adopted a more conciliatory approach. Here’s a timeline showing how the administration's statements evolved in a case that has become a major political liability for Trump.

-Dinah Voyles Pulver, Zac Anderson, Ramon Padilla, Shawn J. Sullivan