Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested, The White House has confirmed.
His arrest comes as nationwide demonstrations against Mr Trump's immigration crackdown are expected today, with organisers calling for a boycott of school, work and shopping in areas across the country.
Earlier this month, Mr Lemon live-streamed a demonstration that interrupted a church service in St Paul, Minnesota, that protested President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown in the area.
According to a Justice Department official, Mr Lemon is charged with conspiring to deprive others of their civil rights and violating the FACE Act by allegedly obstructing access to a house of worship.
FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents arrested him in Los Angeles, the source said.
The White House confirmed his arrest in a tweet on Friday.
Three other people were arrrested with Mr Lemon.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post on X that Mr Lemon and several other people had been arrested "at my direction" on unspecified federal charges.
Mr Lemon's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, called his arrest an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment".
Mr Lemon said he was at the demonstration as an independent journalist and was tipped off ahead of time but did not know the activists would disrupt the service.
"Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done," Mr Lowell said in a statement.
"The First Amendment exists to protect journalists whose role it is to shine light on the truth and hold those in power accountable."
Mr Lowell added that "Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court".
In the live stream, Mr Lemon can be seen arguing with a parishioner about immigration enforcement.
Trump administration officials quickly condemned the demonstration and accused protesters of intimidating Christian worshippers.
Federal agents arrested three other people and charged them with violating the FACE Act, a 1994 law that prevents obstructing abortion clinics and places of worship.
A US judge had earlier this month declined to approve Mr Lemon's arrest, citing a lack of evidence.
The Justice Department did not immediately respond to Reuter's requests for comment.
Mr Lemon spent 17 years at CNN, becoming one of its most recognisable personalities.
CNN fired him in 2023 after he made on-air comments about women and then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley that were widely perceived as sexist. Mr Lemon later apologised.
ABC/Reuters
