(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) The federal judge who reportedly declined to approve a complaint against former CNN anchor-turned-YouTuber Don Lemon is married to a top prosecutor in Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office.
The potential conflict involves U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko, whose wife, Caitlin Micko, serves as an assistant attorney general under Ellison. Critics said that the ties may amount to an appearance of political bias, given Ellison’s office’s aggressive opposition to President Donald Trump’s ICE operations.
The ties, first reported by Fox News, surfaced after Judge Micko declined to authorize federal charges sought by the Trump-led Department of Justice against Lemon in connection to this role in anti-ICE riot inside a St. Paul church.
According to CBS News, Lemon could still face charges as DOJ officials weigh all their options.
Lemon has claimed he was merely documenting the protest, though his own footage showed him interacting with demonstrators shortly before the rioters broke into the church.
NEW: Don Lemon tries lecturing a pastor on the First Amendment after a mob of far leftists stormed a church in Minneapolis.
Pastor: “This is unacceptable. It's shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship…”
Lemon: “Listen, there's a constitution, the First… pic.twitter.com/joHdCvaXe6
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 18, 2026
Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said Judge Micko’s reported decision validated Lemon’s actions.
“The magistrate’s reported actions confirm the nature of Don’s First Amendment protected work this weekend in Minnesota as a reporter,” Lowell wrote.
He added: “Should the Department of Justice continue with a stunning and troubling effort to silence and punish a journalist for doing his job, Don will call out their latest attack on the rule of law and fight any charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.”
Statement from Don Lemon’s attorney Abbe Lowell. pic.twitter.com/lWQ7wDcnd3
— 🪴Laurie (@Laurieluvsmolly) January 22, 2026
The controversy comes as Attorney General Pam Bondi approved the arrests of Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly on federal conspiracy-against-rights charges related to the same wave of anti-ICE unrest.
In a statement defending the prosecutions, Bondi underscored the seriousness of the church riot.
“Our nation was settled and founded by people fleeing religious persecution. Religious freedom is the bedrock of this country. We will protect our pastors. We will protect our churches. We will protect Americans of faith.”
UPDATE: A second arrest has been made at my direction. Chauntyll Louisa Allen has been taken into custody.
More to come.
WE WILL PROTECT OUR HOUSES OF WORSHIP 🙏🏻
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 22, 2026
