Don Lemon released without bail after church protest arrest

Don Lemon made his first appearance in court today in Los Angeles – and he’s already back on the streets… because a judge let him go without bail.

Lemon appeared in court in a crisp, all-white suit… waving and smiling at the supporters – and at one point winking at his husband.

He has been ordered to appear in a Minnesota court on Monday … and his attorney said he is “committed to fighting this case and is not going anywhere.”

However, the judge has granted Lemon permission to travel… allowing him to go to France with friends for a boat trip this summer, as long as the trip doesn’t conflict with the court’s schedule. Naturally, he must adhere to the general probationary conditions.

Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass told Lemon and the gathered crowd that politicians would stand behind him and ensure he could continue to cover important stories across the country.

Mayor Bass made it clear that there is a difference between the journalists covering the protest at the church and protesters who came to the church to make a statement… and people should keep that in mind instead of throwing them all into one bucket.

The mayor added that if it can happen to one journalist, it can happen to them all… so every reporter needs to be on their guard. We’re waiting for Don to leave the courthouse and maybe speak to the media.

Lemon’s next court date is February 9.

Don’s husband, Tim Maloneappeared in court to support the journalist… although he kept his thoughts to himself as he walked past the cameras.

As we reported, Lemon was accused of violating a federal law by interfering with worship during an anti-ICE protest in January at Cities Church in Minneapolis on January 18.

In a statement on FridayUS Attorney General Pam Bondi said… “At my direction, federal agents arrested Lemon early this morning, Trahern Jeen Crews, Georgia FortAnd Jamael Lydell Lundyin connection with the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.”

His lawyer, Abbé Lowellsounded Friday morning — saying Don was there as a journalist, protected by the First Amendment, and that his arrest was a distraction from the Trump administration investigating the murders of Rene Good And Alex Pretti at the hands of federal immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis.

As we told you: originally the FBI tried to charge Eight people associated with the Cities Church protest, including Don… but a magistrate judge only signed off on charges for three, and Lemon wasn’t one of them.