After appearing in court, Lemon was released from custody. He told the media outside the courthouse that he was arrested for covering the news, adding: “I will not be silenced.”

Lemon was charged with conspiracy to deprive rights and interfering with religious freedoms, allegedly by obstructing someone’s First Amendment rights by force. He entered Cities Church in St Paul on 18 January with protesters who claimed that one of the pastors was an immigration enforcement official. Lemon, now an independent journalist, said he was taken into custody by federal agents on Thursday. He did not enter a plea in court.

“Last night, the DOJ sent a team of federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night for something I have been doing for the last 30 years — covering the news,” Lemon said. “I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now,” he added. “In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.”

Lemon and eight other co-defendants, including another journalist, have been charged with conspiracy against religious freedom at a place of worship, as well as injuring, intimidating and interfering with the exercise of religious freedom. “Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court,” his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said earlier on Friday in a statement posted on Lemon’s Instagram account.

The lawyer added: “This unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration will not stand.” Lowell said Lemon was arrested while he was in Los Angeles covering the Grammy Awards.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said three others had also been arrested: local independent journalist Georgia Fort, along with activists Trahem Jeen Crews and Jamael Lydell Lundy. Fort was released  on Friday after appearing in court in Minnesota.

America’s top law enforcement official accused the group of participating in a “coordinated attack” on the church. FBI Director Kash Patel said investigators from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security had arrested Lemon and the others. Fort posted a livestream showing federal agents arriving at her home to arrest her. “Agents are at my door right now,” she said in the clip. “My children are here — they’re impacted by this.” (BBC)