UPDATE - Former CNN anchor taken into custody by US federal agents after Minnesota church protest

ADDS CNN STATEMENT, REMARKS BY US SENATE MINORITY LEADER

By Diyar Guldogan

WASINGTON (AA) - Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was taken into custody by federal agents late Thursday in Los Angeles, his attorney said.

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

Lemon joined dozens of protesters opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who surged into Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota earlier this month, disrupting a worship service and sparking heated confrontations.

“Instead of investigating the federal agents who killed two peaceful Minnesota protesters, the Trump Justice Department is devoting its time, attention and resources to this arrest, and that is the real indictment of wrongdoing in this case,” Lowell said.

The attorney called Lemon's arrest an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment."

“The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable. There is no more important time for people like Don to be doing this work," Lowell said, adding that Lowell will fight the charges "vigorously and thoroughly" in court.

- There is 'no legitimacy, no basis' to Lemon's arrest

The CNN slammed Lemon's "unacceptable" arrest, and said the management will be following this case "closely."

The news network said in a statement that the FBl’s arrest of Lemon raises "profoundly concerning questions" about press freedom and the First Amendment."

"The Department of Justice already failed twice to get an arrest warrant for Don and several other journalists in Minnesota, where a chief judge of the Minnesota Federal District Court found there was ’no evidence’ that there was any criminal behavior involved in their work," it added.

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, for his part, said the arrest is a "dark message" to journalists everywhere.

"If you dare criticize this administration, watch your back. That's not a democracy. That's a police state. And that that is pure authoritarian bile," Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Calling for Lemon's release, Schumer urged the "frivolous charges" against him be dropped.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Lemon is an "accomplished" journalist who is doing his job as part of the free and fair press.

There is "no legitimacy, no basis" in his arrest, he added.

"Trump administration has systematically targeted the free and fair press because they want to intimidate America and oppose anyone who is not willing to bend the knee to their extremism," Jeffries told reporters at the Capitol Hill.