Don Lemon Seeks Dismissal of 2 Civil Rights Charges, Alleging Vindictive Prosecution by Trump DOJ
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Aug 7
Don Lemon Seeks Dismissal of 2 Civil Rights Charges, Alleging Vindictive Prosecution by Trump DOJ
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Aug 7
Summary
Three motions filed Friday ask a federal judge in Minnesota to throw out Don Lemon’s indictment, arguing the prosecution is vindictive, violates the First Amendment and misapplies the underlying criminal statutes.
Lemon’s lawyers say the Justice Department targeted him for protected reporting on Operation Metro Surge, citing years of Trump hostility and public remarks by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi and civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon.
The filing says prosecutors first failed to win a criminal complaint after a magistrate found no probable cause, then pursued appeals and a grand jury indictment before arresting Lemon at a Los Angeles hotel instead of arranging self-surrender.
Defense lawyers also accuse investigators of falsely portraying Lemon as joining protesters at a Minnesota church demonstration, arguing journalistic proximity to alleged crimes does not make a reporter criminally liable.
The case stems from charges that Lemon and others interfered with worshippers’ religious rights during a church protest, while the Justice Department had not responded to the dismissal motions.