Former CNN anchor Don Lemon is facing charges after allegedly participating in an anti-ICE protest. The arrest sent shockwaves through media outlets. The View hosts shared their fear that they’re next. Keep reading for the latest on the ongoing situation.
Don Lemon Arrested Amid Protests Against ICE
Don Lemon was an anchor with CNN for nearly 20 years. He was fired in 2023 after 17 years after repeated controversial comments that were deemed sexist. He continued to share news on social media as an independent journalist. That’s what he claims he was doing during a January 18 protest in a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The church was flooded with anti-ICE protestors after it was discovered that the church’s pastor is an ICE agent.
But according to the government, Don Lemon was violating the FACE Act and preventing churchgoers their right to practice religion without disruption. The former CNN anchor was arrested on January 30 on the orders of Attorney General Pam Bondi.
He was released without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on February 9, 2026, to face the charges.
Ana Navarro Says They Arrested The Wrong Person
Don Lemon’s arrest sparked a fierce debate over the First Amendment right to free speech. The First Amendment also protects the freedom of religion. Several of the hosts of The View are close friends with Don Lemon, including Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro.
They both slammed the Trump administration for arresting Don Lemon. “I think they picked on the wrong guy, because Don Lemon is not going to play dead. Don Lemon has the wherewithal, has the structure, has the team, has the courage and has the money to fight this administration,” Ana Navarro said of the former CNN anchor’s arrest.
Sunny Hostin speculated that the case would be thrown out. She said that he was just doing his job. “Don is a journalist, he’s an on-the-ground journalist. He’s been pepper-sprayed, he’s been tear-gassed. He was getting the story, and nothing should’ve gotten in the way of that.”
The View Hosts Worry They’re Next
Ana Navarro suggested that arresting Don Lemon will ultimately backfire on the Trump administration. She accused the government of trying to distract from the latest release of the Epstein files. Moreover, she claimed it was an intimidation tactic.
“I think it’s to send a chilling message to anybody who’s covering facts. For some reason, well, I know the reason, this administration is afraid of people seeing the truth and being informed,” the Republican host said.
Whoopi Goldberg agreed with Ana Navarro and took it a step further. She wondered if The View hosts could be the next target. “You see what’s happening. You know what’s happening. If it’s happening like this for someone who is out and clearly doing his job, what do you think will happen to us?”
The View hosts are often critical of President Trump, earning rebukes from the White House. But for now, the current administration hasn’t made any move to criminally charge talk show hosts. Tell us in the comments if you think Whoopi Goldberg and her co-host are right to worry.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
