The Ben Shapiro Show – Ep. 2358: Don Lemon ARRESTED!

Date: January 30, 2026

Host: Ben Shapiro

Guest: Mary Margaret Olihan (Daily Wire White House Correspondent)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the breaking news of former CNN anchor Don Lemon's arrest related to his participation in a protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ben Shapiro provides a conservative analysis on whether Lemon crossed the line from journalism into activism/conspiracy, discusses broader implications for the First Amendment, the ongoing conflict in Minnesota related to ICE enforcement, and shifting political strategies among Democrats and Republicans. The episode also touches on the nomination of a new Federal Reserve chair and the evolving political landscape ahead of 2030.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Don Lemon Arrest: Journalism or Crime?

Key Segment: [03:00–11:23]

• Incident Recap: Don Lemon was arrested for allegedly conspiring with protesters who disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, violating the FACE Act—a law ensuring access to clinics and protection for churches.
• DOJ & Legal Process: Initially, a magistrate rejected charges for Lemon, but the DOJ continued to pursue a warrant, claiming Lemon was organizing and not simply covering the protest.
• Lemon’s Defense: Lemon’s lawyer, Abby Lowell, called this “an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from many crises facing this administration” ([05:17]).
• Ben’s Take: Shapiro draws the line between reporting on a crime (legal) and being complicit in planning/commission (criminal):

  “There is a fine line between a journalist doing a ride along even with people who are committing a criminal act, which...is legal, and journalists being involved in the planning and commission of the crime. And that's what is being accused.” ([09:38])

• Evidence Discussion: Plays Lemon’s own clip showing Lemon was embedded with the group ahead of time:

  “They're planning an operation that we're going to follow them on...After we do this operation, you'll see it live.” – Don Lemon ([06:51])

• Implications: Shapiro notes calls from the left saying this is about “shutting down journalism,” but argues the DOJ only arrested Lemon, not all journalists present, suggesting more evidence exists.

2. Minnesota ICE Protests & Political Fallout

Key Segment: [11:23–19:59], [20:01–25:21]

• Mary Margaret Olihan reports on White House sentiment and local politics:
  • Don Lemon’s arrest is causing waves; local Democratic operatives and officials (e.g., James Lundy) were among those arrested, highlighting political entanglement ([13:00]):

    “Just shows you the level of, you know, intertwinement between these protesters, between these activists and a lot of these local city officials in Minneapolis.” – Mary Margaret ([13:59])

  • Increased federal involvement via Tom Homan shifts strategy, with friction between Trump advisors (Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, Tom Homan) ([14:48]).
  • Death of Alex Preddy (activist killed during confrontation) remains a flashpoint. New video shows Preddy “kicking the taillights out of ICE officers vehicles, begging them to assault him,” complicating public narrative ([16:31]).
• Democratic Leaders’ Rhetoric:
  • Gavin Newsom’s office likens ICE to “Gestapo Greg,” refusing to moderate language even when Newsom himself seems more diplomatic in interviews ([18:34]).
  • Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry and MN Governor Tim Walz escalate anti-federal rhetoric, warning of “law of the jungle” and “civil war” over federal actions ([23:59–25:21]).

    “Time and again, America has rejected this notion that might makes right.” – Jacob Fry ([24:10])

3. Federal Immigration Enforcement & Political PR

Key Segment: [22:20–28:44]

• Trump Administration’s Position: Trump and Tom Homan double down on enforcement, rejecting any federal pullback from Minnesota ([22:20]).

  “If you want certain laws reformed, then take it up with Congress...ICE is just enforcing the laws enacted by Congress.” ([22:53])

• Democratic Strategy: Increasing calls to surveil or resist ICE activities (e.g., NJ Governor Mikey Sherrill announcing “a portal so people can upload all their cell phone videos and alert...if you see an ICE agent in the street, get your phone out” – [30:47]).
• Party Divergence:
  • Some moderates (Gov. Josh Shapiro, PA) support cooperation with ICE, contrasting with national party rhetoric ([33:38]).
• Ben’s Prediction:

  “Democrats, as I've said before, are winning this battle, but they are going to lose the war...” ([25:21])

4. New Federal Reserve Chair: Kevin Warsh

Key Segment: [35:00–45:00]

• Trump nominates Kevin Warsh, former Fed Governor, as the next Chair to succeed Jerome Powell.
• Warsh’s Economic Philosophy:
  • Opposes permanent “quantitative easing” (Fed’s long-term bond buying).
  • Wants to “sell off a gigantic portion of its bonds...and lower those interest rates” to spur growth ([43:00]).
  • Believes AI-driven productivity will naturally stabilize inflation and grow wages.

  “Warsh's strategy is to bet on growth and innovation in the private sector, which is why he's a good pick...The biggest thing that he is doing is he is saying the Federal Reserve should no longer be the chief policy maker when it comes to the economy...” ([47:30])

5. 2025–2030 Political & Demographic Shifts

Key Segment: [47:00–53:19]

• Apportionment Projections: 2030 Census data indicates growth and new seats in Republican-leaning states (TX, FL), while blue states are losing seats and population.
  • “Under that scenario...Trump would have won 11 more electoral college votes.” ([49:42])
• Democratic Dilemma: As blue states lose representation, Democrats face pressure to either moderate or radicalize further in an effort to retain power.
• Voter ID and Voting Integrity: John Thune (R) advances updated SAVE Act to require ID at polling places; Democrats like Pramila Jayapal continue to oppose, warning of “intimidation” ([53:19]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben Shapiro on Don Lemon’s Legal Line ([03:55–09:38]):

  “For people to claim that...they're just arresting him for being a journalist on the scene, that is a stretch to me.”

• Don Lemon on Operation Pull Up ([06:51]):

  “They're planning an operation that we're going to follow them on....these operations are surprise operations.”

• Mary Margaret Olihan on political intertwining ([13:59]):

  “Just shows you the level of, you know, intertwinement between these protesters...and a lot of these local city officials in Minneapolis.”

• Jacob Fry, Mayor of Minneapolis ([24:10]):

  “Time and again, America has rejected this notion that might makes right.”

• Ben Shapiro on Democratic Overreach ([32:29]):

  “[Calling ICE Gestapo/Greg] is akin to abolish the police...Short term gain, long term pain for Democrats.”

• David Axelrod cautioning Democrats ([32:29]):

  "The problem...when people said abolish the police...the implication was that there could be [no enforcement]....I don't think Democrats want to get into that again."

• Ben Shapiro on Warsh's Fed Philosophy ([47:30]):

  “The biggest thing that he is doing is he is saying the Federal Reserve should no longer be the chief policy maker when it comes to the economy.”

Key Timestamps for Reference

• Don Lemon Arrest & Evidence Discussion: [03:00–11:23]
• Operation Pull Up Clip—Lemon’s Own Words: [06:51]
• Mary Margaret on White House & ICE Protests: [11:23–19:59]
• Minneapolis Political Rhetoric (Jacob Fry, Tim Walz): [23:59–25:21]
• Tom Homan on ICE Enforcement: [22:48–23:26]
• Gavin Newsom Staff Response on ICE Rhetoric: [18:34]
• Discussion of New Fed Chair (Warsh): [35:00–47:30]
• 2030 Apportionment & Political Shifts: [47:00–53:19]
• Voter ID, Election Integrity: [53:19–54:20]

Overall Tone and Style

• Shapiro’s Commentary: Direct, combative, relentlessly skeptical of Democratic motives, supportive of legal process but opposed to “politicization” of law enforcement.
• Mary Margaret Olihan: Detailed, focused on background and insight into federal administration and Minnesota political landscape.
• Frequent Use of Sarcasm and Irony: Especially towards Democratic leadership and media coverage.

Summary Takeaway

This episode serves as a fast-moving, adversarial conservative analysis of current events—the Lemon arrest, ICE and immigration enforcement controversy, Democratic political messaging, and regulatory/economic shifts. Shapiro’s primary argument is that Democrats’ current strategy may work in the short term for media outrage but ultimately risks alienating mainstream voters amid demographic realities and federal legal authority.