BREAKING: Arrested Student Reportedly Flips on Don Lemon, Alleges Coordination in Minnesota Church Incident
ST. PAUL, Minn. — In a stunning development regarding the high-profile arrests at Cities Church, reports indicate that Jerome Richardson, the left-wing student activist arrested in connection with the incident, has turned on former CNN anchor Don Lemon. Sources close to the investigation suggest Richardson is now telling police that Lemon did not merely “cover” the protest as a journalist but was actively involved in planning the disruption.
The allegation, if proven, would directly contradict Lemon’s defense that he was present solely as a member of the press documenting a newsworthy event. Richardson, a student at Temple University, reportedly flipped on Lemon shortly after being taken into custody, offering details that suggest a level of premeditation and coordination between the journalist and the activists that goes beyond standard reporting practices.
Deep Search: The Legal Stakes
This reported testimony could be the “smoking gun” federal prosecutors have been seeking to substantiate the conspiracy charges levied against Lemon.
The Charges: Both Lemon and Richardson face charges of conspiracy to interfere with First Amendment rights and violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which also covers places of worship.
The Key Distinction: Federal law protects journalists from prosecution for simply being present at illegal events they are covering. However, if Lemon helped plan* the logistics or directed the activists—as Richardson is now allegedly claiming—he would lose those protections and could be treated as a co-conspirator in the crime itself.
Corroborating Evidence: Investigators are likely now cross-referencing Richardson’s new statement with digital forensics, including the text messages and call logs alluded to in the initial indictment, which allegedly showed Lemon telling a co-defendant, “Don’t give anything away.”
Objections & Counter-Narratives
Legal analysts and supporters of the accused are viewing this “flip” with skepticism, noting the intense pressure federal prosecutors often place on young defendants.
Previous Support: Just days before his arrest, Richardson released a video statement publicly declaring he was “proud to support” Lemon’s work and characterizing his own role as merely providing “logistics and local contacts” for a journalist. His sudden reversal raises questions about whether the testimony is genuine or a result of a plea deal strategy to reduce his own potential prison time.
Defense Strategy: Lemon’s legal team is expected to argue that “logistics” (such as telling a reporter where a protest will happen) is standard procedure between sources and journalists and does not constitute a criminal conspiracy. They will likely paint Richardson as a panicked student saying whatever is necessary to cut a deal.
Background Info: The Cities Church Incident
The charges stem from a chaotic scene on January 18, 2026, at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Protest: Activists entered the church to protest a pastor who also serves as an official for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The disruption halted the service and led to a standoff between congregants and protesters.
Lemon’s Role: Don Lemon, who now hosts an independent show on X (formerly Twitter), livestreamed the event. While he has maintained he was an impartial observer, the Department of Justice under the new administration has taken a hardline stance, characterizing the incident as a “coordinated attack” on religious liberty.
The Arrests: Richardson turned himself in to federal authorities in Philadelphia on Monday, joining Lemon and several others who have already been processed.
As this story develops, the focus will now shift to whether prosecutors release specific details of the alleged planning or if Lemon’s defense team issues a formal rebuttal to Richardson’s claims.
inquirer.com
cbsnews.com
bastillepost.com
michiganchronicle.com
