Former CNN host Don Lemon acknowledged being present with anti-ICE protesters in the Twin Cities and having advance awareness of their planned “surprise operation” before the group interrupted a Sunday church service in St. Paul, Minnesota.

A livestream video shared on the Facebook page of Black Lives Matter Minnesota captured dozens of protesters entering the Cities Church during services, chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good.” Good, a 37-year-old woman, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month amid intensified federal immigration enforcement operations.

Protesters claimed that one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, also serves as the leader of the local ICE field office overseeing the operations.

During a separate livestream from a parking lot in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Lemon described the group as “resistance protesters” preparing an action called “Operation Pull-Up.” He identified local activist Nekima Armstrong as a key organizer, noting her history of surprise demonstrations since the George Floyd and Daunte Wright incidents.

“These are resistance protesters. They’re planning an operation,” Lemon said on the stream. “I can’t tell you exactly what they’re doing, but it’s called Operation Pull-Up.” He emphasized that the plans were kept secret to catch targets off guard, adding: “These operations are surprise operations. Again, I can’t tell you where they’re going.”

After the disruption began, Lemon was filmed approaching a church leader closely with what appeared to be a recording device, seeking information from those involved.

Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights, told Newsmax that the church disruption would receive the “full force” of the Justice Department. She described the incident as a violation of federal laws protecting the right to assemble and pray, calling it a “shameful exercise of virtue signaling, disruption, fear, terror.” Dhillon highlighted footage showing children being ushered out by terrified mothers and stated that federal prosecutors and FBI agents are investigating potential charges, including against Lemon for his involvement.

In response to criticism, Lemon issued statements denying prior knowledge of the specific church target. “I had no affiliations with that organization,” he said. “I didn’t even know they were going to this church until we followed them. We were there chronicling protests.” He described his actions once inside as “an act of journalism,” reporting on the event and speaking with participants.

The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of heightened federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, including “Operation Metro Surge.” The Pentagon has placed approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from the Army’s 11th Airborne Division on prepare-to-deploy status, with officials noting they could be mobilized to Minnesota if President Trump invokes the Insurrection Act.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sources: Newsmax, Facebook livestream from Black Lives Matter Minnesota, official statements from Harmeet Dhillon and Don Lemon, and related coverage from defense and law enforcement officials.