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Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal authorities Thursday evening, according to his attorney.
Lemon, 59, was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards, his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement.
Details of the charges were not immediately available. However, the Ministry of Justice promised to file a complaint against Lemon after the independent journalist covered a protest at a Minnesota church last week.
“Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is focusing its time, attention and resources on this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case,” Lowell said. “This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and this transparent attempt to distract from the many crises facing this administration will not stand.
“Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court,” Lowell added.
Lemon’s rep and that of her husband did not immediately respond to 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 were shot and killed.
Three people who disrupted the same church service in St. Paul that Lemon covered were also arrested. Protesters gathered at the service because its pastor reportedly works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Ryan J. Reilly is a court reporter for NBC News.
Chloe Melas is an entertainment correspondent for NBC News.
Matt Lavietes is a reporter for NBC News.
