In a significant legal development, former CNN host Don Lemon has secured the services of former federal prosecutor Joe Thompson for his defense against federal civil rights charges. Thompson, who recently resigned from his position amid growing disputes with the Trump administration, now represents Lemon in a high-profile case stemming from a protest at a Minnesota church.
Background of the Case and Legal Representation
A court filing on Tuesday confirmed that Lemon has hired former interim U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson. Thompson had been leading extensive investigations and prosecutions of major fraud cases for the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office until his resignation last month. His departure is part of a broader trend, as several prosecutors have left the office due to mounting frustrations with the administration's immigration enforcement crackdown and the Justice Department's handling of fatal shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis.
Details of the Indictment and Lemon's Defense
Don Lemon is one of nine individuals indicted for their alleged roles in disrupting a service at a Minnesota church, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official served as pastor. The indictment outlines various actions by the group that entered the church, including statements made by Lemon during his livestream coverage of the event. Lemon has consistently maintained his innocence, stating through another attorney that he plans to plead not guilty. He asserts that he was not affiliated with the group that disrupted the service and was present solely in his capacity as an independent journalist.
Lemon is scheduled for arraignment on February 13 in federal court in St. Paul, marking a critical juncture in this legal battle. The case has drawn national attention, highlighting tensions between media freedom and federal enforcement actions.
Broader Context and Implications
The Trump administration has pointed to Minnesota fraud cases, many involving defendants from the state's large Somali community, as justification for its immigration crackdown in the region. In December, Thompson estimated that losses to taxpayers from several fraud cases prosecuted in Minnesota could total as much as $9 billion, underscoring the scale of the investigations he previously oversaw.
Formation of a New Law Firm
Following his resignation, Thompson has partnered with Harry Jacobs, another former federal prosecutor who left the office amid the ongoing upheaval. Jacobs previously served as lead prosecutor in the case of Vance Boelter, who has pleaded not guilty to charges related to last year's assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as nonfatal shootings of a state senator and his wife. Together, Thompson and Jacobs have established their own law firm, described on its website as comprising "battle tested and seasoned" trial lawyers.
Attempts to reach Thompson for comment on Tuesday were unsuccessful, as he did not immediately respond to messages. This development adds a layer of complexity to the legal landscape, with seasoned prosecutors transitioning to private practice amid political and administrative tensions.
