Don Lemon sits down with Jimmy Kimmel post-arrest
*Monday night, Don Lemon appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for his first interview since being arrested while covering an anti-ICE protest. The longtime journalist spoke candidly about what happened and why he believes journalism is under attack.
During their sit-down, Kimmel didn’t hold back. He asked Lemon about the arrest, the political backlash, and how it all went down while Lemon was in Los Angeles covering the Grammys. Lemon, in turn, got real about the impact this has had on him—and the bigger issues at stake.
Don Lemon arrested while reporting on ICE protest at church
On January 18, Lemon was covering a protest at a St. Paul, Minnesota church. The protest targeted a pastor who also serves as a local ICE officer. Protesters entered the church, and Lemon followed them inside to report.
He insists he wasn’t part of the protest. “I was doing my job,” he told Kimmel. He drew a clear line between activists and journalists, saying he was documenting, not demonstrating. That didn’t stop federal agents from targeting him.
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Trump reposts call for Don Lemon’s arrest after protest
Soon after the protest, Donald Trump reposted a message calling for Lemon’s arrest under the FACE Act. The law is typically used in cases involving healthcare clinics, not journalism. Lemon hired an attorney and offered to turn himself in.
That offer was ignored. Authorities instead brought the case before multiple judges. When two refused, they finally found a grand jury willing to bring charges. Kimmel said it sounded like something out of a movie. Lemon called it “surreal.”
FBI arrests Don Lemon during Grammys weekend
While in L.A. to cover the Grammy Awards, Lemon was arrested at his hotel. FBI agents showed him a warrant on a phone. He had already told officials he’d turn himself in, but they still brought a team to take him in.
“They wanted to make an example,” Lemon told Kimmel. He was handcuffed while still wearing a diamond bracelet that his husband gave him for their wedding. The bracelet got caught in the cuffs, cutting into his wrist. That’s how his husband learned about the arrest.
Held overnight with no phone call or warning
Lemon was taken to a federal holding cell, fingerprinted, and held overnight. He wasn’t allowed a phone call but managed to use his Apple Watch to call his lawyer and husband. Both went to voicemail.
He spent the night mentally recording every detail, from how many agents were present to how he was treated. “Some were respectful,” he said. “Others weren’t.” The next day, he finally saw coverage of his arrest on CNN while still in custody.
Don Lemon blasts double standard for journalists
On “Kimmel,” Lemon pointed out the irony of ICE being allowed into churches, schools, and hospitals—but not journalists. He said that contrast shows a dangerous shift in how the press is treated.
He compared his case to Washington Post reporter Hannah Nathanson, whose home was searched by federal agents. Lemon said the pattern is clear: reporters are being punished for doing their jobs.
Support floods in after Don Lemon arrest
Despite the ordeal, Lemon said the outpouring of support kept him grounded. Fellow reporters filled in on his show and sent messages of encouragement. Many fans also reached out to express outrage.
“That love meant everything,” he told Kimmel. After his release, he still went to the Grammys but chose not to report, instead attending as a guest. It was his way of standing tall and not letting the arrest silence him.
Don Lemon calls for more independent journalism
Lemon used his “Kimmel” appearance to encourage people to support independent journalism. He believes corporate media has been too afraid to tell hard truths. On his own show, “The Don Lemon Show,” he speaks freely without worrying about backlash.
He said live, unscripted reporting keeps him connected to real people. “You never know what someone will say live,” he said. “That’s what makes it real.” His show airs weekdays on YouTube at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern.
Why the Don Lemon arrest matters more than ever
Lemon said his arrest is part of a larger effort to intimidate the media. On “Kimmel,” he warned that silencing journalists has become more common—and more dangerous.
He urged viewers to stay informed, stay vocal, and support those who report from the ground. “We need more truth, not less,” Lemon said. “And we need to protect the people telling it.”
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