A federal magistrate judge has rejected the Justice Department’s initial attempt to bring charges against journalist and former CNN host Don Lemon following his presence at a protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to a source familiar with the matter, with the source adding that “The Attorney General is enraged at the magistrate judge’s decision,” as Attorney General Pam Bondi has spent two days in Minnesota meeting with federal prosecutors, while CNN reported that Lemon was among dozens of anti–Immigration and Customs Enforcement protesters who rushed into Cities Church on Sunday morning, breaching the premises, interrupting worship and triggering tense confrontations, although Lemon has maintained that he attended strictly in a journalistic capacity, saying in a YouTube video he posted after the incident, “I’m just here photographing, I’m not part of the group… I’m a journalist,” as the Justice Department has so far arrested two individuals linked to the protest, according to CNN, and while representatives for Lemon have been contacted for comment, officials noted that the Justice Department retains the option of attempting to bring charges again, with CNN saying the story was updated with additional information.
