Fired CNN Star Don Lemon Is Sued By Traumatized Churchgoer: Says He Caused ‘Severe Emotional Distress’ During Protest

Legal problems are mounting for a fired CNN star, Don Lemon, over his participation in a protest in a Saint Paul church last month, as one churchgoer is now seeking damages for the “emotional trauma” from the demonstration.On January 18, anti-ICE protesters entered Cities Church – on Saint Paul’s prestigious Summit Avenue – and disrupted the Sunday services. The protesters penetrated the church due to suspicions that one of the pastors was an ICE supervisor for his day job. Nine people — including Mr. Lemon — are facing federal charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers. The federal charges come as Minnesota’s Democratic attorney general, Keith Ellison, said the disruption was First Amendment-protected activity. Mr. Lemon has said he was simply documenting the protest as a journalist and vowed to fight the charges. Prosecutors argue he was an active participant in the protest, not an observer. (Before entering the church, Mr. Lemon filmed a video of himself saying he “did recon” of the church prior to the protest.)On Monday, one of the churchgoers who was at Cities Church during the demonstration, Ann Doucette, filed a federal lawsuit against the former CNN star and other participants.Journalist Don Lemon (C) speaks with media gathered after an arraignment hearing at the Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on February 13, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lemon has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to violate someone’s constitutional rights and violating the FACE Act. Stephen Maturen/Getty ImagesThe filing says, “As a result of Defendants’ coordination actions, Plaintiff suffered severe emotional distress, fear, anxiety, and trauma, as well as interference with her religious exercise and invasion of a private and sacred space.”It states that the demonstrators “personally participated in disrupting the service.” The complaint notes Mr. Lemon “livestreamed portions of the operation, noting congregants’ fear and distress, and appeared to take satisfaction in the disruption.” Don Lemon speaks to the Minnesota attorney general, Keith Ellison, during his reporting trip to the Twin Cities. The Don Lemon ShowLast month, the leaders of Cities Church indicated that they are considering taking legal action against Mr. Lemon and the other demonstrators. Conservatives have criticized the former CNN star for his attendance at the demonstration. President Trump called Mr. Lemon a “loser” and “lightweight.”“I saw the way he walked in that church, it was terrible,” Mr. Trump told reporters last month.On February 13, Mr. Lemon pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He has claimed that he was being singled out by the Trump Administration because he was “the biggest name” at the demonstration.Don Lemon speaks to far left podcaster Jennifer Welch following the church incident. YouTube During an interview with a left-wing podcaster, Jennifer Welch, Mr. Lemon said one of his producers told him, “You have a platform, and you’re the biggest name. Of course, you’re going to be the person that they single out, and they’re gonna make the headline because it plays to their base, and their base is full of racist, bigoted homophobes.”Mr. Lemon did not respond to the Sun’s request for comment by the time of publication.

Fired CNN Star Don Lemon Is Sued By Traumatized Churchgoer: Says He Caused ‘Severe Emotional Distress’ During Protest

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