MINNEAPOLIS — Notable former CNN host Don Lemon has officially retained Joe Thompson as his attorney in light of his recent indictment due to an incident that occurred at a Minnesota church. This dispute has escalated into a complex legal matter, where Lemon and eight others contend they disrupted a church service conducted by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official.
The court filing submitted on Tuesday highlights that Thompson, who previously led significant investigations for the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, resigned last month amid frustrations over the Trump administration's immigration enforcement approach. His departure aligns with the broader concerns affecting the office, particularly regarding responses to federal interactions with local communities.
Lemon recently declared through other legal representation that he intends to plead not guilty against the federal civil rights charges filed against him over the church protest. He emphasizes that he was acting solely as an independent journalist during the event and was not affiliated with the incidents in question.
The accusations revolve around actions taken during a protest that targeted the church service. The legal actions that Lemon faces are part of a larger context, as the administration cites ongoing criminal investigations related to fraudulent activities, linking them to heightened immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
Lemon's arraignment is scheduled for February 13 in St. Paul, and his situation remains a focal point of public interest amid ongoing debates over civil rights and media's role in sensitive social issues.
