Don Lemon Taken Into Federal Custody While Covering Grammys Attorney Calls Arrest ‘Unprecedented Attack’

Don Lemon Taken Into Federal Custody While Covering Grammys Attorney Calls Arrest ‘Unprecedented Attack’

Don Lemon was taken into federal custody in Los Angeles late Sunday night while covering the Grammy Awards, according to a statement released by his attorney, Abbe Lowell.

Lowell said the longtime journalist — who has worked in media for roughly 30 years — was performing constitutionally protected newsgathering when federal agents detained him. The attorney emphasized that Lemon’s reporting role in Los Angeles was no different from his past coverage of high-profile events and protests across the country.

In the statement, Lowell accused the Justice Department of misplacing its priorities, arguing that the arrest represents a direct challenge to the First Amendment. He claimed Lemon’s detention was an attempt to intimidate journalists and distract from broader controversies facing the administration.

The attorney further alleged that instead of investigating federal agents involved in the deaths of two Minnesota protesters, authorities chose to focus their resources on arresting Lemon — a move he described as the “real indictment of wrongdoing” in the case.

Lowell characterized the incident as an “unprecedented attack” on press freedom and said Lemon’s legal team will not back down. According to the statement, Lemon plans to challenge the charges aggressively in court.

“This transparent attempt to silence journalism will not stand,” Lowell said, adding that Lemon intends to fight the case “vigorously and thoroughly.”