Don Lemon seeks dismissal of criminal civil rights charges, claiming vindictive prosecution

Key Points:

• Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has requested a federal judge in Minnesota to dismiss criminal civil rights charges against him, claiming he is being targeted for vindictive prosecution linked to President Trump's animosity.
• Lemon and other journalists face charges under the FACE Act for allegedly intimidating or interfering with individuals exercising religious freedoms during protests, with additional felony conspiracy charges.
• His attorneys argue that Lemon's reporting is protected by the First Amendment and that journalists have the right to cover newsworthy events, even if crimes occur nearby, emphasizing that proximity to crime does not imply complicity.
• The defense also contends that the indictment is flawed due to improper application of criminal statutes and highlights irregularities in the arrest process, including a late-night arrest at Lemon's hotel instead of a coordinated self-surrender.
• The Justice Department's initial attempt to charge Lemon was rejected for lack of probable cause, leading to a grand jury indictment after failed judicial interventions, while the White House publicly mocked Lemon following his arrest.