politics
January 22, 2026
Judge declines to sign off on charges against former CNN anchor Don Lemon
Refusal to approve charges against Lemon in connection with Minnesota protest reportedly ‘enraged’ Pam Bondi
TL;DR
- A federal magistrate judge refused to sign off on charges against Don Lemon related to a Minnesota church protest.
- The decision reportedly angered Attorney General Pam Bondi.
- Donald Trump and allies had called for Lemon's arrest following his broadcast of the protest.
- Lemon's attorney asserts his client engaged in constitutionally protected journalistic activity.
- It is considered rare for a magistrate judge to reject charges brought by prosecutors.
- Two protesters were arrested on Thursday, and Bondi stated that attacks on places of worship are not tolerated.
- The magistrate's refusal is seen as a negative sign for the government's case, potentially influencing a grand jury.
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