The Megyn Kelly Show | Ep. 1236
Church Agitators ARRESTED... But is Don Lemon Next? With Allie Beth Stuckey, Rob Henderson, and Phil Holloway
January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the controversial arrests of Black Lives Matter activists Nakima Levy Armstrong and Chantill Allen for orchestrating disruptive protests at a St. Paul, Minnesota church. Megyn and her guests examine the federal charges, the wider implications for free speech, the weaponization (or enforcement) of the FACE and Klan Acts, and whether former CNN host Don Lemon—who covered the event—could face similar legal jeopardy. The conversation branches into related themes: the double standards in protests, the cultural and political divide around ICE, the role of media, and how progressive activism increasingly targets religious communities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: The St. Paul Church Protest & Arrests

• Event Recap: BLM activists Nakima Levy Armstrong and Chantill Allen led a surprise protest inside a church, disrupting a Sunday service with chants and confrontational questioning to highlight the church pastor’s alleged connection to ICE.
• Legal Fallout: Both women were arrested and charged under the federal FACE Act (protecting the right to religious worship) and the Klan Act (conspiracy against rights).
• Don Lemon’s Involvement: Don Lemon live-streamed the event, openly participating and narrating the activists’ intent, raising questions about culpability.

“If you by physical obstruction or any sort of force or threat of force, interfere with somebody who's trying to pray, you're effed. Okay.” — Megyn Kelly [03:15]

• Video Documentation: The activists and Lemon documented their pre-meditated plan (“Operation Pull Up”) on social media, undermining any post-hoc claims they were innocent participants.
• Community Reaction: Congregants, including children, were frightened, cowering in pews as activists shouted "Hands up, don’t shoot” and confronted the pastor directly.

2. Narrative Battles: Activist Spin vs. On-the-Ground Reality

• Media Appearances: Armstrong attempted to downplay the event on CNN, suggesting they merely asked the pastor a question after participating in prayer (“we didn't rush in… we participated in the service”) [09:00].
• Megyn’s Rebuttal: Kelly played direct clips of the protest, highlighting that the activists’ intent was always to disrupt and that legal nuances about how or when the disruption began are irrelevant under the FACE Act.

“Nakima, you're an idiot... The law doesn't care if you sat there for a few minutes before you launched your disruption.” — Megyn Kelly [09:13]

• Critique of Journalism: Kelly criticized Aaron Burnett (CNN) for failing to confront Armstrong with evidence or properly challenge her narrative.
• Activist Grift Allegations: Kelly accuses Armstrong of financial impropriety, revealing her non-profit paid her significantly more than it gave in grants.

3. Political & Legal Implications

• Selective Enforcements & Double Standards:

  • The FACE Act has historically (according to guests) been used against pro-life activists, rarely against left-wing disruptors of religious services.
  • Now, with a Republican administration, it’s being applied to shield churches as well.

• On Don Lemon:

  • His defense is complicated by his “journalist” status. Kelly and guests argue Lemon crossed from observer to participant.
  • Notable Judge Decision: News breaks in-episode that a federal magistrate refused to sign the arrest warrant for Don Lemon, possibly for political reasons. DOJ may pursue grand jury indictment as a fallback.

“Trespassing is a crime. The First Amendment does not give Don Lemon a shield... holding a microphone and calling yourself a journalist might make you a journalist... but it doesn't mean that you get to use it as a defense to violate other people's First Amendment rights.” — Phil Holloway [86:40]

• Double Standard in Minnesota:
  • Local authorities, especially in Minneapolis and St. Paul, are described as hostile to law enforcement and deferential to BLM, making federal intervention necessary.
  • Cases and precedents are referenced (e.g., pregnancy center prosecutions under FACE) to argue for the legitimacy of the charges.
• Nature of Threats:
  • Threats and physically intimidating behavior—not just physical obstruction—are sufficient under the FACE Act.

4. Deeper Cultural Analysis: Activism, Class, and the Media

• Luxury Belief Thesis (Rob Henderson):
  • Left-wing activism is dominated by affluent, highly educated people who have time/resources to protest.
  • Activists engage in “exhibitionism” and “self-flagellation,” rarely putting themselves at risk.
  • Points out they target “safe” venues (churches) and not, for example, mosques or NRA conventions, exposing selective outrage.
• School and Community Indoctrination:
  • Kelly slams the spread of anti-ICE, pro-protest messaging in schools, playing a Texas teacher’s lesson instructing kids how to resist ICE and police [65:01].
  • Discusses high school walkouts and orchestrated protests as an echo of Maoist “good trouble.”

“Young people are a bit naive… they want to believe in good guys and bad guys. When you have authority figures… say, ‘here’s how things are, go out and protest,’ you’re on the right side of history.” — Rob Henderson [72:54–75:04]

5. Broader Themes: Politics, Law, and the Aesthetics of Protest

• Politician Performances:
  • Governor Tim Walz criticized for delivering pro-protester messages from behind the security of a mansion and wrought iron fence.
  • The left upholds the concept of “good trouble,” seemingly condoning lawbreaking when for their cause.

“Literally from behind a fence, totally protected… telling the others, ‘get in good trouble’... this really is kind of out of a communist playbook.” — Rob Henderson [76:11–77:26]

• ICE and Immigration:
  • Kelly and guests highlight horrific crimes by illegal immigrants as evidence for the necessity of ICE, bemoan mainstream calls to abolish the agency as delusional and oblivious to the real risk.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Activists’ Mentality:

  • "These absolute disgusting, disgusting, vile narcissists in there without a care for anybody but their own egos." — Megyn Kelly [15:00]
  • "You want trauma. You want discomfort, you got it." — Megyn Kelly sarcastically, as footage shows Allen being arrested [47:02]
  • “Enjoy your strip search. Who’s scared now?” — Megyn Kelly [14:09]

• On Don Lemon's Role:

  • "Don Lemon celebrated it, saying, trauma is part of the process." — Megyn Kelly [31:36]
  • “As a journalist, you know very well when you’re talking about private property, you need to be very careful… The laws don’t magically disappear…” — Megyn Kelly [50:09]

• Guest Analysis:

  • Allie Beth Stuckey (23:42): “She’s probably going to use this to try to fundraise to line her own pockets, but who cares? This is justice.”
  • Phil Holloway (86:40): “I smell politics… When the local government, local authorities refuse to do their duty… somebody else has to step in and do it.”

• On Double Standards:

  • “It’s total projection… If you are progressive in this country, you live in an alternate reality that doesn’t have any correspondence with reality whatsoever.” — Allie Beth Stuckey [45:29]
  • “They didn’t care about George Floyd then. They don’t care about Renee Good now. They’re simply looking for a reason to terrorize.” — Allie Beth Stuckey [41:45]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:00] — Introduction to the protests, arrests, and FACE/Klan Act
• [05:30] — Don Lemon’s livestream, pre-planned intent for disruption
• [08:52] — Armstrong’s CNN appearance and spin
• [13:34] — Excerpts from within the church; congregation reaction
• [20:54] — Protesters' explicit intent and confrontation, children’s fear
• [23:42] — Allie Beth Stuckey discusses justice and the FACE Act’s history
• [32:04] — Don Lemon: “Trauma is part of the process”
• [33:25] — William Kelly’s threatening speech in church
• [35:58] — Megyn Kelly’s personal story of public harassment as analogy
• [45:29] — Don Lemon equates church with white supremacy
• [55:53] — Rob Henderson joins, discusses activist psychology/class
• [65:01] — School indoctrination segment: Texas classroom on ICE
• [67:53] — William Kelly’s response to arrests; call for escalation
• [72:07] — High school ICE protest walkouts
• [75:41] — Governor Walz’s “good trouble” comments from behind security
• [86:40] — Criminal lawyer Phil Holloway explains Lemon’s jeopardy, judicial politics

Closing Reflections

Megyn Kelly and her guests assert that the charged activists crossed a legal and moral line by invading a house of worship, and the long-neglected FACE Act is finally being reciprocally enforced. Political and media reactions reveal deep cultural divides about protest, law enforcement, and religious freedom—and point to rapidly shifting ground, now that the same federal machinery some cheered against pro-life activists is rolling against the left.

The episode is sharply critical, with pointed personal commentary and a clear stance, but also delves into background research, legislation, and cultural analysis. For listeners, it offers an unfiltered, partisan view with a blend of legal analysis, political critique, and personal storytelling—a microcosm of America’s divisive climate in 2026.

For further insight:

• Watch for tomorrow’s episode with DOJ Civil Rights AAG Harmeet Dhillon for legal follow-up.
• Phil Holloway’s True Crime podcast and Rob Henderson’s writings on “luxury beliefs” were both highlighted as key resources.