Former CNN host Don Lemon has retained high-profile attorney Abbe David Lowell to defend him against federal charges brought by the Trump administration following his arrest connected to a protest at a Minnesota church.
Lemon’s legal team confirmed that Lowell, best known for representing Hunter Biden, will lead his defense as the case moves forward in federal court.
The charges stem from Lemon’s alleged involvement in a protest at a St. Paul church tied to opposition against federal immigration enforcement operations.
Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles late Thursday while preparing to cover an awards show for his podcast, according to his attorney.
Lowell said Lemon was engaged in constitutionally protected journalistic activity while reporting from Minneapolis and denied that his client committed any criminal offense.
“As a journalist, his work was no different than what he has always done,” Lowell said in a statement released after the arrest.
Lowell accused the Department of Justice of selectively targeting Lemon while ignoring actions by federal immigration agents involved in recent law enforcement shootings.
He described the prosecution as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment” and vowed to fight the charges aggressively.
The case places Lemon in direct legal conflict with the Justice Department under President Donald Trump, whose administration has intensified enforcement actions tied to immigration protests.
Lowell is one of Washington’s most recognizable defense attorneys, frequently representing politically exposed clients facing federal scrutiny.
His most prominent recent client is Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden, whom Lowell defended against tax and firearms charges.
During that case, Lowell publicly argued that Hunter Biden was targeted because of his last name and political pressure, per Fox News.
Lowell later withdrew from some of Biden’s matters as the younger Biden retained additional counsel in separate legal disputes.
Beyond Biden, Lowell has represented former Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez during a corruption investigation that ended in a mistrial.
He also defended former Sen. John Edwards during a high-profile campaign finance prosecution tied to an extramarital affair.
Other past clients include lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former Rep. Gary Condit, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
Lowell has also represented Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner during election-related investigations earlier in Trump’s political career.
Lemon has publicly defended his coverage of immigration protests and accused federal authorities of attempting to silence journalists.
The Justice Department has not commented in detail on Lemon’s specific charges but maintains that enforcement actions are being applied uniformly.
