Dershowitz Forecasts Don Lemon Will Avoid Federal Conviction in Minnesota Church Disruption Case

Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz has predicted that former CNN anchor Don Lemon will not face criminal conviction for federal charges tied to disruptions of a church service in Minnesota, emphasizing First Amendment protections for journalists.

In an interview, Dershowitz argued prosecutors would struggle to overcome legal safeguards shielding journalistic reporting in close calls with criminal conduct. He stated the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Lemon participated as a coconspirator in the disruption, noting such evidence would be difficult to establish at trial.

Dershowitz acknowledged scenarios where journalists might cross ethical lines—such as recorded conversations urging participation in demonstrations or confrontations with church officials—but stressed this differs from criminal liability. “It may cross the line of journalistic ethics,” he said, “but there’s an enormous difference between violating journalistic ethics and being able to have proof beyond a reasonable doubt that he was a coconspirator.”

The professor also highlighted potential obstacles for prosecutors, including Minnesota’s jury composition, which Dershowitz described as more sympathetic to protesters than federal enforcement agencies. He noted the Justice Department faced repeated judicial rejections of warrants before proceeding to a grand jury, warning that incomplete evidence presentation could lead to an unjust indictment if Lemon’s journalistic status was not properly identified.

By Sandy Fitzgerald | Saturday, 31 January 2026 10:23 AM EST