James Fishback, a Republican candidate in the Florida governor’s race, posted a tweet on Friday referencing the recent arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon. In the post, Fishback wrote that Lemon was “lucky he’s not getting hanged in the public square for ransacking a church.”
Don Lemon is lucky he's not getting hanged in the public square for ransacking a church. https://t.co/tHAM7PRExs
— James Fishback (@j_fishback) January 30, 2026
Lemon, who left CNN in 2023, pleaded not guilty on Friday to federal charges related to his coverage of a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. The protest occurred on January 18 against the Trump administration’s deployment of immigration agents to major Minnesota cities. Lemon was arrested Thursday night in Los Angeles by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations, according to CBS News.
At a court appearance on Friday, a magistrate judge ordered Lemon released to await trial. Lemon’s attorney, Marilyn Bednarski, confirmed his not guilty plea. Lemon told reporters, “I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court.”
The federal indictment charges Lemon with conspiring to deprive others of civil rights and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which prohibits obstructing access to houses of worship and abortion clinics. Six other individuals present at the protest face the same charges. U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster also ordered the release of independent journalist Georgia Fort, who was charged in the same case.
During a Friday broadcast of Jenna Ellis in the Morning on American Family Radio, Fishback said, “A man ransacked a church during Sunday service with BLM and antifa thugs. If our founding fathers knew that a bunch of thugs led by Don Lemon had ransacked a church on Sunday morning while parishioners were praising our awesome God, they would have likely called for his public execution. And so Don Lemon should be lucky that he’s not getting executed in the public square for his little stunt, his violence, his aggression.”
James Fishback, candidate for Florida Governor comments on the arrest of Don Lemon:
— Fishback for Florida (@Fishback2026) January 30, 2026
"He is lucky that he is not getting executed in the public square… it's time that Christians to stand up for our rights in this country… I am proud of what President Trump is doing." pic.twitter.com/1WPrYY9KTv
Fishback added, “It’s a good day for law and order in America… I’m proud of what President Trump and the DOJ are doing. And let’s see that justice is served in this case all the way through.”
Fishback has made recent media appearances discussing his campaign and policy positions. He appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight in January to address topics including free speech, state politics, and international policy. He is also scheduled to appear on Piers Morgan on Monday, according to a tweet from his campaign account.
