Hakeem Jeffries rips the Trump DOJ as ‘illegitimate’ after Don Lemon was detained for simply covering the news

Independent journalist Don Lemon was detained while he was covering the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, as reported by The Hill. This detainment immediately drew explosive fire from Democratic leadership. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued a severe condemnation of the Trump administration’s actions against the journalist.

Jeffries posted on X, saying Lemon is an accomplished journalist whose urgent work is protected by the First Amendment, and demanded, “He should be freed immediately.” The Democratic leader stated, “The Trump Justice Department is illegitimate.” He added that they will all be held accountable for their crimes against the Constitution.

Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, confirmed the journalist was detained, calling the entire incident an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment.” Lowell pointed out that the First Amendment exists specifically to protect journalists. Their vital role is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. Lowell believes there is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this necessary work.

If you’re wondering why the Justice Department would target Lemon, the issue stems from his past coverage of immigration crackdowns

The Trump administration has been highly critical of Lemon’s reporting on protests opposing federal immigration operations in Minnesota. The administration has attempted to charge Lemon and seven other people who were involved in a specific incident.

This group entered a church in Saint Paul, Minnesota where demonstrators believed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official was serving as a pastor. The Justice Department claims the group violated the FACE Act, which is a law designed to protect people from attacks and disruptions in places of worship.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon previously warned Lemon following his report from the church protest. She made it clear that a house of worship is not a public forum for protest. Dhillon stated that it is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws. She also argued that the First Amendment does not protect “pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service.”

We haven’t seen an indictment or any charges made public yet, which is causing even more confusion and concern. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to give a press conference on the matter.