Don Lemon proudly discussed his “fearless” brand of journalism during an interview Thursday night shortly before his Los Angeles arrest for joining anti-ICE protestors inside a Minnesota church.
“Don’t try to be the old traditional journalist of yesteryear. It doesn’t play anymore. Blaze your own trail,” Lemon told journalist Nya Etienne during a pre-Grammys party at LA’s Fairmont Century Plaza hotel.
“The people who are really thriving in this time are really authentic and fearless. You have to be fearless. It’s a whole new time in media in general. Take advantage of it. Look at it as an opportunity,” the ex-CNN host said.
Lemon, 59, was arrested by federal agents for allegedly joining anti-ICE protesters who entered a Twin Cities church during Sunday service two weeks ago.
“Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards,” his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement shared with reporters.
Lemon reportedly spent the night in jail and is expected to make his first court appearance on Friday.
He and dozens of protesters are accused of barging in and disrupting Sunday services at the Cities Church in St. Paul on January 18.