Don Lemon arrested by federal authorities, his attorney says

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal authorities Thursday night, according to his attorney.

Lemon, 59, was taken into custody by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear why Lemon was arrested. However, the Justice Department promised to pursue charges against Lemon after the independent journalist covered a protest in a Minnesota church last week.

“Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case,” Lowell said. “This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand.

“Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court,” Lowell added.

Lemon’s representative and a representative for his husband did not immediately return requests for comment.

Lemon’s arrest is the latest development in the federal government’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, in which two U.S. citizens have been shot and killed.

Three people who disrupted the same church service in St. Paul that Lemon covered were also arrested. Demonstrators gathered at the service because its pastor allegedly works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.