The Antihero Broadcast: DON LEMON GETS ARRESTED!!

Podcast: The Antihero Podcast
Episode: Don Lemon Gets Arrested!!
Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the headline-grabbing news that former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested following his involvement in a disruptive protest at a Minneapolis church. The hosts, Tyler and Jimmy, unpack the details of Lemon’s arrest and the legal, social, and political ramifications. Throughout, they maintain a critical, sarcastic, and irreverent tone geared toward their core audience of veterans, first responders, and blue-collar Americans. The show also touches on related issues like religious freedoms, the journalistic line between reporting and activism, and broader national unrest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Don Lemon’s Arrest: The Facts (04:53 – 08:00, 12:15 – 13:45)

• Incident Recap:
  Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles by federal agents, charged under the FACE Act after a protest at a St. Paul, Minnesota church became disruptive during a Sunday worship service. Lemon was live-streaming as activists protested the alleged connection between the pastor and ICE.
• Legal Details and Confusion:
  • Initial attempts to indict Lemon were blocked due to lack of probable cause, with courts arguing Lemon may just have been acting as a journalist.
  • A grand jury was finally impaneled, leading to his indictment under the FACE Act for interference with religious worship and intimidation.
  • He’s also facing civil suits from church members, who feared for their safety during the protest.

Quote:
"You can't trap people in their place of worship. You can't intimidate people in their place of worship."
— Jimmy (13:09)

2. The FACE Act and Its Application (08:34 – 10:10; 15:01 – 17:45)

• The FACE Act was originally created to protect access to reproductive health clinics, but also covers religious worship spaces. The hosts discuss how it’s now being used to protect churches from protests and intimidation.
• The hosts clarify First Amendment rights and private property, mocking the idea that protest rights override worship rights.

Quote:
"You cannot go inside...[a church]. Your First Amendment right inside private property—you don't have that right."
— Jimmy (17:21)

3. Was Lemon Reporting or Agitating? (29:12 – 34:15)

• Debate on whether Lemon was simply covering the protest or actively instigating and participating. The show plays clips and discusses testimony from the church and officials.
• Dispute over Lemon’s claims of journalistic neutrality versus evidence that he was embedded with protesters, coordinating coverage, and possibly had foreknowledge.

Quote:
"To say that he did not attempt to agitate is patently ridiculous. That's like saying his heart grew three times after he got fired from CNN."
— Jimmy (34:15)

4. Media, Journalists, and the First Amendment (25:43 – 32:32, 36:42 – 38:56)

• Strong criticism toward mainstream media defenders of Lemon, especially those suggesting journalists have unrestricted protest rights.
• Hosts highlight double standards, noting such protests would never target synagogues or mosques, only churches.
• The use of Lemon’s livestream footage by federal authorities as part of the criminal case is explored.

Quote:
"She said there is no limit to where people can exercise their right to protest… That is insane!"
— Tyler (37:54)

5. Societal Tensions and Civil Unrest (35:04–36:00, 48:00–61:15)

• Discussion about rising social tensions:
  • The protest at the church and the Lemon arrest are seen as symptoms of broader unrest.
  • References to Minnesota’s governor Tim Walz comparing current strife to the Fort Sumter incident that started the Civil War.
• Analysis of political leadership and speculation regarding federal government intervention under the Insurrection Act.

Quote:
"This is how you get a civil war. Everybody in that church, they might have been sympathetic... I guarantee you they're not now."
— Jimmy (35:06)

6. Don Lemon’s Career and Character (18:19 – 24:33; 43:07 – 46:06)

• Recap of Lemon’s controversial end at CNN, history of alleged diva and bullying behavior, and high-profile on-air moments.
• Hosts use these stories to build a case of Lemon as a self-centered, declining media figure, arguing his ego led him to “become the story.”

Quote:
"Don Lemon is the epitome of everything that's wrong with 'journalists' today... he’s moved from reporting on the story to becoming the story."
— Jimmy (21:47)

7. Legal Process and Public Perception (32:20 – 33:02; 41:39 – 42:07)

• Ongoing confusion on whether Lemon has been officially charged and the practicalities of his custody. Hosts mock media reporting for exaggeration or misinformation.
• The gray area between activism and journalism is dissected, with skepticism about Lemon’s defense as a “chilling” attack on press freedom.

8. Parallel News, Political Commentary, and U.S. Civic Health (45:00 – 61:15)

• Broader discussions about the erosion of societal norms, the increasing targeting of churches, and the decline of respect for boundaries.
• Frequent use of historical analogies (e.g., Rome, Civil War) to predict future strife.
• Emphasis on prepping, vigilance, and community values.

Quote:
"I think we've already gone over the cliff. I don't think there's any stopping it now... There's no historical precedent for the Civil War happening and then it going back to the same way it was."
— Jimmy (60:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lemon’s Arrest:
  "Everyone thought he was going to skate by like the left always does. Turns out, they actually investigated him federally."
  — Tyler (11:02)

• FACE Act Application:
  "Seems like a really good idea to have. Right. Like, hey, you can’t… They probably are prepping for people to do stuff like this."
  — Tyler (13:18)

• First Amendment Misconception:
  "That’s like him coming into your house... and you’re like, dude, get this guy out of here, and like, 'Well Tyler's just exercising his First Amendment rights.'"
  — Tyler (26:42)

• On Journalistic Responsibility:
  "He’s a bad guy. He has bad intentions. It's pretty clear."
  — Jimmy (14:31)

• Historical Parallel:
  "The corrupt politicians… when it's time to start stabbing people in the face, they're not good at that. And they lose. They lose."
  — Jimmy (61:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Don Lemon Arrest Details: 04:53 – 08:00
• FACE Act Explanation: 08:34 – 10:10
• Legal Confusion and Double Jeopardy Issues: 15:01 – 17:45
• Private Property and the First Amendment: 17:12 – 17:45, 26:42 – 27:37
• Media/Journalism Debate: 25:43 – 32:32
• Historical Parallels and Civil Strife: 48:00 – 61:15
• Personal Takes – Lemon’s Career: 18:19 – 24:33, 43:07 – 46:06
• Audience and Community Reflections: 105:48 – 108:47

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a sarcastic, combative, and irreverent tone. They blend law enforcement and veteran perspectives with dark humor, skeptical takes on mainstream narratives, and unfiltered commentary about social decline, political apathy, and the importance of community values. Regular banter, sidebars, and self-aware nostalgia for team settings reinforce their identity as a show "by and for the blue-collar everyman."

Takeaways & Utility

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

• You’ll get a detailed breakdown of why Don Lemon was arrested and under what law.
• The episode explores profound questions about where journalism ends and activism begins, especially in the context of private property and religious worship.
• The hosts strongly assert the sanctity of churches as private spaces, contrasting legal protections with shifting cultural norms.
• Commentary is laced with references to national decline, historic cycles of power, and the potential for civil unrest.
• The Lemon story is used as a lens for larger debates about media, respect for rights, and American civic health.

If you want irreverent, veteran/LEO-adjacent, no-BS takes on big news stories, and a sense of connection to a like-minded community, this episode delivers.