A Sunday worship service turned into chaos — and now the legal fallout is escalating fast.
What began as shouting inside a church sanctuary has turned into federal charges and a civil lawsuit that could reshape the debate over protest, religion, and accountability.
Former CNN host Don Lemon has been identified as one of several defendants in a civil lawsuit filed by a church member following the disruption of a January 18, 2026 service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The same incident has already resulted in federal criminal charges against Lemon and eight others.
This wasn’t a sidewalk protest.
According to reports and court filings, demonstrators entered the sanctuary during a Sunday gathering at Cities Church — a congregation affiliated with the Southern Baptist denomination — and shouted phrases including “ICE out!” and “Justice for Renee Good.” The slogans referenced a local anti-ICE activist who was shot last month while allegedly attempting to run over a federal agent.
The protest reportedly targeted the church because one of its pastors had been serving as acting director of the ICE field office in St. Paul.
NEW: Completely unhinged liberal lunatic starts screaming at Christians trying to worship at a church in Minnesota.
“As you can see, all these pretend Christians, all these comfortable white people who are living lavish, comfortable lives…”
“Touch me again and see what… pic.twitter.com/jUCi2HYTVH
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 18, 2026
Ann Doucette, a congregant who attended the service that day, filed a civil case in Minnesota District Court on February 23. She named Don Lemon along with Nekima Levy Armstrong, Georgia Fort, Will Kelly, Chauntyll Allen, Jerome Richardson, Trahern Crews, Jamael Lundy, and others connected to the incident.
According to Doucette’s complaint, the defendants “unlawfully interfered” with her ability to “freely exercise her religion in a private place of worship.” The filing alleges that protesters “spread through the pews, raised their voices and confronted clergy while congregants watched.”
Doucette contends the incident caused “severe emotional distress, fear, anxiety, and trauma.” The lawsuit further claims that Lemon “appeared to take satisfaction in the disruption” while livestreaming portions of the event. It also references a protester who allegedly stated publicly that they had helped Lemon with “logistics and local contacts in support of the operation.”
Doucette, who is representing herself, is seeking unspecified financial damages and a judicial order preventing the defendants from returning to Cities Church or disrupting future services.
A woman is claiming emotional distress bc Don Lemon stormed into the Cities church and infringed on her freedom of religion
So she's filed a civil suit on Don Lemon
Who else is hoping she gets every dime she can outta this dirtbag ??
— @Chicago1Ray ?? (@Chicago1Ray) February 25, 2026
But the civil case is only part of the story.
On January 29, a federal indictment alleged that Lemon and others coordinated the disturbance. The indictment states:
“After the service commenced, a group of approximately 20-40 agitators, including all of the defendants named in this Indictment, entered the Church in a coordinated takeover-style attack and engaged in acts of oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction alleged herein.”
Each of the nine individuals charged faces a count of conspiracy against the right of religious freedom at a place of worship. They are also charged individually with one count of injuring, intimidating, and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship, in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
Under the FACE Act, using force, threatening force, or physically obstructing someone with the intent of disrupting their religious practice at a place of worship is prohibited. The statute was previously used by the Biden-controlled Justice Department to pursue federal cases against pro-life activists.
Now, it is being applied to this incident.
The stakes are significant — not only for Lemon and the other defendants, but for the broader question of how far protest can go before it crosses into criminal interference with religious worship.
The federal case will play out in court. The civil lawsuit will move through Minnesota’s judicial system.
But one question remains for the public.
Do you believe Don Lemon should be held financially liable for his alleged role in the church disruption?
Leave your thoughts in the comments.