The claim is mostly true because multiple reliable sources report that prosecutors, including those in Minnesota, failed to secure arrest warrants or charges against Don Lemon and other journalists covering the Minneapolis church protests due to lack of probable cause, indicating a refusal or inability to proceed with charges; however, there is no direct evidence about DOJ prosecutors in Los Angeles refusing involvement.
Mostly True
DOJ prosecutors in both Minnesota and Los Angeles refused to be involved in charging Don Lemon and the other journalists who covered the Minneapolis church protests.
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Don Lemon Arrested by Federal Agents Overnight After Covering Anti-ICE Minnesota Church Protest
Source: people.com
At a glance
Verified January 30, 2026Key Evidence
Multiple sources report that a magistrate judge in Minnesota declined to issue arrest warrants for Don Lemon and a video producer due to lack of probable cause (The Globe and Mail, Reuters).
The Guardian and CBS News confirm that prosecutors failed twice to get arrest warrants for Lemon and other journalists.
The New York Times and BBC note that charges were approved only for some protesters but not for Lemon.
None of the sources mention any DOJ involvement or refusal from Los Angeles.
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Analysis of the available sources shows a consistent pattern regarding the Minnesota federal prosecutors and magistrate judges declining to approve arrest warrants or charges against Don Lemon and other journalists involved in covering the Minneapolis church protest. Several sources (The Globe and Mail, Reuters, CBS News, The Guardian) confirm that a magistrate judge rejected prosecutors' requests to charge Lemon, citing insufficient evidence of criminal conduct. The New York Times and BBC also note that charges were approved only for some protesters but not for Lemon or certain others. However, none of the sources mention any involvement or refusal by DOJ prosecutors in Los Angeles related to these charges. The focus is exclusively on Minnesota federal authorities and courts. Therefore, while the part about Minnesota prosecutors refusing or failing to charge Lemon is well-supported, the claim about Los Angeles DOJ prosecutors refusing involvement lacks corroboration from the provided evidence.
In summary:
Minnesota federal prosecutors attempted but failed to get arrest warrants for Lemon and other journalists due to judicial rejection based on lack of probable cause.
Charges were approved only against some protesters, excluding Lemon.
No evidence was found about DOJ prosecutors in Los Angeles refusing involvement in this matter.
This makes the claim mostly true but incomplete or unverified regarding Los Angeles.
Primary trail
Verified Sources10
Open source