Summary (tl;dr)

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is trending after live-streaming and participating in an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, due to claims that one of its pastors also serves as an ICE official.

Essential Background

The protests are linked to the recent fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis. Activists allege that David Easterwood, a pastor at Cities Church in St. Paul, is also the Acting Field Office Director for ICE in the region, a claim that has been circulated on social media, though it remains unconfirmed if the pastor and the ICE official are the same individual. David Easterwood is also named in a pending class-action lawsuit by the ACLU of Minnesota concerning alleged aggressive tactics by ICE.

The Full Story

On Sunday, January 18, 2026, Don Lemon joined and live-streamed an anti-ICE protest at Cities Church in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, which interrupted an ongoing church service. Protestors chanted slogans such as "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good" inside the church. The U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating the protestors for potential violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which prohibits interfering with religious freedom or access to a place of worship. Lemon has faced criticism on social media for his involvement in the demonstration.

Why It Matters

This incident highlights escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the tactics used by ICE, particularly in the wake of the recent fatal shooting in Minneapolis. The alleged dual role of a church pastor as an ICE official has fueled public outrage and prompted direct action, leading to disruptions of religious services. The potential application of the FACE Act against the protestors raises concerns about freedom of speech and the boundaries of protest, while also emphasizing the legal protections for religious institutions.

Geographic Location

• Cities Church, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, United States (anti-ICE protest and service disruption)
• Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States (fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent)