The Chris Cuomo Project

Episode: Don Lemon’s Arrest Is Bigger Than Don Lemon

Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Chris Cuomo
Guests: Greg, Amish

Overview

In this episode, Chris Cuomo examines the recent arrest of Don Lemon during a protest at a church in Minnesota. The discussion delves into Lemon's role, the broader implications for press freedom, the legal complexities (specifically the FACE Act), and the growing tensions between new forms of journalism and traditional standards. Cuomo emphasizes that defending the rights of journalists—even controversial ones like Lemon—matters more than personal or political animus. The conversation grapples with the blurred lines between journalist, pundit, and activist in the digital age, and why these distinctions are at the center of this controversy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Don Lemon’s Arrest: What Happened

• [00:00] Don Lemon describes his arrest by FBI agents at his hotel room, noting a lack of a physical warrant and the heavy-handedness of the operation.
• [00:52] Chris Cuomo’s framing: “The Don Lemon Dilemma” is that the public’s feelings about Lemon overshadow the bigger civil liberties issue.
• The protest was against a preacher allegedly collaborating with ICE; journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort embedded with protesters and livestreamed the event from inside the church.
• Both were arrested and charged under the FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act), which applies to places of worship.

2. The FACE Act and Legal Ramifications

• [02:50] Cuomo explains that the FACE Act is intended to protect freedom of worship and prevent intimidation or force in places like churches and clinics.
• Arrest of journalists under this act is “wrong, all day long” and sets a dangerous precedent for journalism.
• Notable quote ([04:35]) – Chris Cuomo:

  "If the government is in the business of saying who’s a journalist, we got a big problem, especially this administration."

• Cuomo distinguishes between being present as a journalist and being a protest organizer or participant—arguing that Lemon and Fort were clearly the former.

3. Standards, Practices, and the Evolution of Journalism

• [09:23] Amish and Greg raise concerns about Lemon’s approach, the absence of traditional editorial checks, and the blurred ethics of modern online journalism.
• [11:29] Cuomo: points out that neutrality is less valued in contemporary news, where partisanship is the norm and platforms reward provocation.
• [13:26] Cuomo:

  “We don’t have a set standard of what a journalist is... There’s no extra argument for journalists.”

• [16:21] Slice of Media Culture:
  Comparisons are made to Hunter S. Thompson and Andrew Callahan, who “become part of the story,” but Cuomo believes Lemon makes himself the story more so for attention.

4. The Personal and Professional History between Cuomo and Lemon

• [07:54] Cuomo details his relationship with Lemon at CNN, where their on-air handoff was highly rated and their rapport real—but soured after Cuomo’s own departure.
• Cuomo accuses Lemon of “liking the moment,” enjoying the attention of his own controversy.

5. Press Freedom versus Public Perception

• [18:42] Greg:

  “When I see the way [Lemon] does things... it’s being set up and being catered to a certain viewpoint. And I just think it leads to more confusion... these one-sided arguments by these pundits instead of journalists.”

• Cuomo stresses that defending Lemon’s rights is not about Lemon but the principle.

  “It’s not about Don Lemon. Despite Don Lemon, you’ve got to see what matters here...” ([41:56])

• The importance of defending even journalists you disagree with is highlighted repeatedly.

6. The Government, Selective Prosecution, and Political Context

• The group discusses speculation that the prosecution (especially under the Ku Klux Klan Act, [40:36]) is politically motivated, targeting both Lemon and Fort to appear evenhanded.
• [28:11] Amish references Dan Pfeiffer's (Pod Save America) take:
  Trump’s administration is setting an example by targeting a high-profile (Lemon) and lesser-known (Fort) journalist.
• [28:55] Cuomo concurs:
  “They went after Georgia Fort to make it seem like it’s not just Don Lemon, so that it wasn’t just having a hard on for him; it was the behavior at the moment.”

7. Critiquing Lemon’s Journalism Style and Its Consequences

• Cuomo notes that Lemon repeatedly declared “I’m here as a journalist” during the incident ([19:33]).
• There’s debate about whether Lemon’s style cheapens journalism or simply reflects the new media landscape.
• Cuomo argues that freedom of speech protections apply regardless of whether one considers Lemon a "real" journalist.
• [44:49] Cuomo:

  “Even if [Lemon] liked the protest... he still didn’t do what the FACE act protects from... It’s not about Don Lemon. It’s despite Don Lemon.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [04:35] Chris Cuomo:

  “If the government is in the business of saying who’s a journalist, we got a big problem, especially this administration.”

• [13:26] Chris Cuomo:

  “We don’t have a set standard of what a journalist is because... there’s no extra argument for journalists. We just use the right to free speech. So in going after Don’s credential... at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.”

• [26:21] Cuomo (on double standards):

  “If it were Megyn Kelly who had gone in with a bunch of anti-trans rights people... into some LGBTQ-friendly church, you would feel totally differently about this.”

• [40:36] Cuomo (on prosecution):

  “One of that law, that first Law they refer to as the Ku Klux Klan act against two Black journalists. Are you fucking kidding me?”

• [41:56] Cuomo (on the principle):

  “If Don Lemon’s a journalist, if he’s not part of the protest... He still has a right to free speech.”

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Don Lemon describes his arrest experience | | 00:52 | Cuomo introduces the central dilemma and outlines core arguments | | 03:00 | Background & legal context of protest, the FACE Act explained | | 07:54 | Cuomo recounts personal/professional history with Don Lemon | | 09:23 | Amish, Greg, and Cuomo discuss standards, practices, and journalism | | 13:26 | Cuomo on what defines a journalist | | 18:42 | Greg critiques the new commentator-centric media landscape | | 19:33 | Cuomo on Lemon’s repeated assertions of being a journalist | | 28:11 | Amish introduces Dan Pfeiffer’s analysis of the political angle | | 40:36 | Cuomo reacts to charges under Ku Klux Klan Act | | 41:56 | Cuomo argues the principle is bigger than Lemon himself | | 44:49 | Cuomo summarizes rights irrespective of personal style/opinion |

Tone and Style

• Direct, opinionated, and occasionally profane (in keeping with Cuomo’s signature voice).
• Candid about the limitations of both traditional and digital-age journalism.
• Emphasis on principle over personality, even when the subject is divisive.
• Conversational, sometimes combative, with an undercurrent of urgency about the freedom of the press and civic norms.

Summary Takeaway

Chris Cuomo urges listeners to look beyond Don Lemon’s polarizing persona and recognize the gravity of prosecuting journalists under broad, ambiguous statutes. The debate highlights the blurry boundaries in modern journalism, the risks to press freedom, and the need for consistent principles—even when the journalist in question is controversial. The episode encourages critical thinking, skepticism of authority, and the defense of rights irrespective of personal or political preference.