Don Lemon ARRESTED Under Klan and FACE Acts, with Michael Knowles, Mike Davis, Bill Shipley, and Howard Blum | Ep. 1242

Summary of Don Lemon ARRESTED Under Klan and FACE Acts, with Michael Knowles, Mike Davis, Bill Shipley, and Howard Blum | Ep. 1242

by SiriusXM

1h 58m•January 30, 2026
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Overview of Don Lemon ARRESTED Under Klan and FACE Acts (The Megyn Kelly Show — Ep. 1242)

This episode of The Megyn Kelly Show (SiriusXM) covers breaking news: former CNN host Don Lemon was federally arrested for his participation in a January 18 protest that interrupted a Sunday worship service at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Host Megyn Kelly lays out the government’s announced charges (conspiracy against rights — “Klan Act,” and violation of the FACE Act), argues Lemon was an active participant not a protected journalist, and leads a panel discussion with legal and political commentators (Mike Davis, Bill Shipley, Michael Knowles) about the legal basis, evidentiary issues, and political fallout. The show closes with a separate investigative segment (guest Howard Bloom) raising new questions about the University of Idaho murders suspect Brian Kohberger and whether he acted alone.

Key points and main takeaways

  • Breaking news: Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents and charged with:
    • Conspiracy against rights (commonly called the Ku Klux Klan Act; 18 U.S.C. § 241).
    • Violations of the FACE Act (18 U.S.C. § 248) — prohibiting force, threats, or physical obstruction that interferes with religious exercise.
  • Allegations: Lemon knowingly joined organizers of a planned disruption (Operation Pull-Up), entered the church during service, obstructed aisles/exits, confronted clergy, encouraged the activists on camera, solicited subscribers/donations for his YouTube channel, and helped publicize the protest.
  • Megyn Kelly’s legal framing: even if Lemon were a journalist, the First Amendment does not excuse trespass, obstruction, or statutory crimes (FACE/Klan Acts). Kelly stresses video clips, on-camera statements (e.g., “trauma is part of the process”), and interactions with organizers as evidence of active participation.
  • Legal process: an initial magistrate judge declined to approve charges from a first affidavit; DOJ improved evidence and presented the case to a federal grand jury (which returned an indictment). Panelists emphasize grand-jury probable cause supports prosecution despite earlier magistrate skepticism.
  • Panel consensus (Mike Davis, Bill Shipley, Michael Knowles): journalistic status does not immunize criminal conduct; the FACE Act contains no journalism exception; Lemon’s on-camera remarks and conduct strengthen the government’s case; selective-prosecution arguments will likely arise but prosecutors rely on video, communications, and witness statements.
  • Other arrests: organizers and participants have already been charged/arrested in connection with the church incident — Nekima Levy-Armstrong, Chantel Allen, William Kelly, Georgia Fort (former anchor/independent journalist), Traherne Jean Cruz, Jamal Lydell Lundy, and reportedly Lemon’s producer.
  • Political and media fallout: the case produced swift defenses from many on the left and from journalists claiming press freedom concerns; Kelly and panelists argue this is not a First Amendment defense but criminal behavior.
  • Separate segment: Howard Bloom reviews newly unsealed materials in the University of Idaho murders (Brian Kohberger), noting 150 collective stab wounds, unusual forensic gaps (limited bloody footwear patterns, unknown male DNA on a knife sheath), a very fast resolution/plea, and reasons to probe whether an accomplice might have been involved.

Topics discussed

  • The charges against Don Lemon: legal elements of 18 U.S.C. § 241 (conspiracy against rights) and 18 U.S.C. § 248 (FACE Act).
  • What constitutes protected journalistic activity vs. criminal conduct (time/place/manner restrictions, trespass, obstruction).
  • Evidence highlighted: on-camera footage, Lemon’s statements and behavior (kissing organizer, urging viewers to subscribe, offering coffee, confronting pastor), alleged blocking of Sunday school/aisles, and reports of injured parishioners (one woman reportedly broke her arm).
  • Judicial process: magistrate review, chief judge’s response, grand jury indictment, potential affidavits, and anticipated supporting materials (texts, emails, subpoenas, search warrants).
  • Politics and civil rights law: comparisons to prior DOJ uses of the FACE/Klan Acts (e.g., prosecutions involving abortion clinic protests and Jan. 6 journalist prosecutions), and accusations of selective enforcement.
  • Local/national political implications: reactions from Minnesota figures (Keith Ellison, sheriff offices), sanctuary/ICE enforcement back-and-forth in Minneapolis/St. Paul, and how the incident plays into broader immigration and law-and-order messaging.
  • Brian Kohberger case (Howard Bloom): forensic anomalies, timeline concerns, theories about accomplices, and the speed of the case resolution/plea.

Notable quotes, soundbites, and evidence clips cited

  • Don Lemon (on video at the protest): “Trauma is part of the process…you can protest at any time…you have to make people uncomfortable.”
  • Don Lemon (teasing the operation on camera): “This is a clandestine operation…you’re going to watch it live unfold here on the Don Lemon Show.”
  • Megyn Kelly’s characterization: “He didn’t have an invitation…he trespassed into a house of worship in the middle of a religious service.”
  • Panel legal framing: Bill Shipley — “The First Amendment provides no protection when a journalist’s conduct violates the FACE Act or Section 241.”
  • Howard Bloom (on the Kohberger files): raises the question whether “one man could have committed 150 stab wounds in the time window” and points to unexplained forensic evidence (unknown male DNA on knife sheath; lack of expected bloody footwear patterns).

Evidence and procedural items to watch (recommended follow-ups for readers who want updates)

  • Release of the indictment’s supporting affidavit(s) and grand-jury materials — will likely contain texts/emails, witness statements, and forensic details Kelly and guests said are forthcoming.
  • DOJ filings and any motions by Lemon’s defense (motions to dismiss, First Amendment/press-defense arguments, discovery requests).
  • Bank/payment/YouTube/subscription records or other financial evidence referenced as motive (Lemon’s solicitations on camera).
  • Identification and charging status of additional participants (producer, other attendees) and any search-warrant results (phones, devices, emails).
  • For the Kohberger case: full unsealed forensic reports, any independent forensic reviews, and whether Pennsylvania/Idaho authorities re-open or further investigate alleged accomplice leads.

Bottom-line summary

  • The show treats Don Lemon’s arrest as a strong, video-backed federal case alleging statutory interference with religious exercise and conspiracy to deprive rights. Host Megyn Kelly and guests argue Lemon’s recorded conduct—teasing the operation, entering a service, confronting clergy, soliciting viewers, and aiding organizers—crosses from journalism into criminal participation, and thus is lawfully prosecutable.
  • Legal experts on the panel stress the First Amendment does not provide a blanket shield for criminal acts and expect prosecutors to rely on video plus communications to make their case. Expect intense media and political debate about press protections and selective prosecution.
  • Separately, newly released documents in the Idaho murders raise substantial forensic questions that some commentators (Howard Bloom, forensic consultants he cites) believe merit renewed inquiry into the possibility of an accomplice.