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Stephen A. Smith says Don Lemon’s arrest threatens First Amendment

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Stephen A. Smith came to the defense of fellow journalist Don Lemon, who was arrested this week.

Lemon was charged in Los Angeles Friday afternoon on allegations of conspiring to violate someone’s constitutional rights and alleged FACE Act violations.

Lemon’s arrest comes more than a week after he joined a group of anti-ICE protesters who interrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official serves as a pastor. 

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The group of protesters chanted “ICE out,” interrupting the service, according to video footage.

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Stephen A. Smith and Don Lemon

Stephen A. Smith and Don Lemon  (Getty Images)

Lemon, an independent journalist, said he had been attending the demonstration as a reporter, not as a protester. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Lemon remarked, “I’m just here photographing, I’m not part of the group. … I’m a journalist.”

The ESPN host said since Lemon was there as a member of the press, his arrest violates the First Amendment.

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“Whether you like it or not, Don Lemon is a member of the press. Don Lemon has been in journalism for 30 years. Don Lemon worked at CNN for 17 years. And just because you don’t have a specific organization that you’re working for, that’s where the word independence comes from. It doesn’t mean that your journalism credentials are stripped,” Smith said. “Not when you’ve been doing it for decades like him. 

Don Lemon at premiere

Don Lemon livestreamed left-wing agitators who stormed St. Paul’s Cities Church under the suspicion that its pastor had collaborated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  (Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)

ANTI-ICE PROTESTS ERUPT IN MILAN AHEAD OF WINTER OLYMPICS OVER PLANNED AGENT DEPLOYMENT

“This is straight BS what he’s going through. I’m a member of the press too. And ain’t no way in hell anyone in the field of journalism shouldn’t be supporting Don Lemon today. And that’s including anyone on the right. Anybody in journalism.

“I’m not saying it was wise, I’m not saying I would have done it. I’m not saying he should have walked into a church to do interviews and stuff like that for a couple of minutes. But it don’t warrant this. You support this, you don’t support the First Amendment. You don’t support freedom of the press.”

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Lemon has hired Hunter Biden’s attorney, Abbe Lowell. Lowell said Friday that Lemon had been attending the demonstration in a reporting capacity and not as a demonstrator. 

“Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents last night in Los Angeles, where he was covering the Grammy Awards,” Lowell said in a statement.

“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done.” 

Lemon’s arrest comes as Minnesota has emerged as a flashpoint for immigration protesters in recent weeks, including in the aftermath of the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

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Don Lemon

Don Lemon arrives at THR’s Empowerment in Entertainment Gala at Milk Studios April 30, 2019, in Los Angeles.  (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

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President Donald Trump earlier this week signaled that the administration is willing to “de-escalate” tensions in Minnesota, though further details on that process remain unclear.

Fox News’ Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report.

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How old is Lee Hi? Age difference with Dok2 explored amidst reported relationship and joint label launch

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Singer Lee Hi (Lee Hae-yi) and Dok2 (Lee Joon-kyung) have finally confirmed their romance, with their connection dating back to the MBC reality program, Infinite Challenge. Over time, the pair had maintained a steady bond through collaborative music projects. Also, as reported, they had been together since late 2022.

This now marks their fifth year as a couple. At the same time, both artists acknowledged their relationship on social media, referring to each other as “MY MAN” and “MY LADY.” As fellow musicians, they also share a six-year age gap. Lee Hi was born in 1996. Meanwhile, Joon-kyung was born in 1990. Lee Hi debuted in 2012 after finishing runner up in the 2011 SBS audition show K-pop Star season 1. Dok2 debuted earlier in 2005, gaining recognition through the program Show Me the Money.

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Here’s more about Lee Hi and Dok2’s relationship

Looking back, the origin of Lee Hi and Dok2’s relationship traces to the 2016 broadcast of Infinite Challenge‘s Great Heritage. During that episode, Joon-kyung teamed up with Yoo Jae-suk. Together, they released the track Like. Soon after, Lee Hi joined the project as a featured vocalist. This moment, in turn, marked the beginning of their connection.

Even before this, Joon-kyung had already worked with Lee Hi. He appeared on FXXK WIT US (Feat. DOK2), a track from her album SEOULITE. From then onward, they maintained steady creative exchanges. For example, Lee Hi later featured on Joon-kyung’s March 2017 album Rborn, contributing to the track On & On (Feat. Lee Hi).

On March 28, the pair officially confirmed their romantic relationship by releasing their first joint single, You & Me. As attention grew after the release, the couple chose to directly address their relationship. Lee Hi shared a couple of photos on social media, writing,

“To my one and only DOK2 and 808HI, happy birthday. It’s been a long journey, and finally, this day has come. Congratulations on your birthday, my person (MY MAN) Dok2. This is our celebration. Turn up the music and celebrate the start of our journey together.”

The mentioned ‘808 HI RECORDING’ is a label co-established by the two. The name “808” links to Joon-kyung’s brand. Meanwhile, “HI” comes from Lee Hi’s name. A photo of them holding hands was also shared. Meanwhile, he also posted,

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“Have you all been listening closely? More songs are coming soon,” referring to Lee Hi as “MY LADY.”

Along with it, an image showed Lee Hi with an arm around her waist. On the same day, Lee Hi appeared with Dok2 during a live broadcast. At one point, both said, “Well done.” Lee Hi also said, “Happy birthday,” as the rapper marked his birthday. Then, while addressing viewers, Lee Hi added, “Today is (the ax) birthday. Please wish me a happy birthday.”


Their relationship was already known within the hip-hop scene. After the rumors spread, rappers Sleepyand DinDin reacted by leaving “likes” on posts sharing the news. In particular, Sleepy commented, “Let’s get married.”