Don Lemon Says ‘a Dozen’ Agents at His Arrest Were a ‘Waste of Resources’

Don Lemon described the federal response to his recent arrest as a “waste of resources,” saying he was escorted outside by multiple agents.

Lemon, 59, appeared as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, February 2, and was asked how he was doing since being arrested two weeks after reporting at an anti-ICE protest at a church in Minnesota on January 18.

“I don’t know… That’s an honest answer. I’m OK,” Lemon told host Jimmy Kimmel. “I’m not going to let them steal my joy, but this is very serious; these are federal, criminal charges.”

The former CNN Tonight host admitted that there was quite a bit he couldn’t go into detail about regarding the situation.

“What I will say is that I’m not a protester, I went there as a journalist,” he continued. “I went there to chronicle, document and record what was happening. There is a difference between a protester and a journalist.”

Lemon said that he was ready to turn himself in, but he was taken outside where “a dozen” agents awaited him.

“They want to embarrass you, they want to intimidate you, they want to instill fear,” he explained.

Lemon was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles on January 30. After being held for approximately 12 hours, he was released without bail and is expected to plead not guilty to charges alleging conspiracy against religious freedom at a place of worship, as well as injuring, intimidating, and interfering with the exercise of religious freedom.