Don Lemon Urges Black and Brown Americans to Arm Themselves Against ICE

NEW YORK, NY – Former CNN host Don Lemon urged Black and Brown Americans to legally arm themselves in response to the threat of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. He made the comments on Tuesday during an appearance on the podcast “The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali.”

Lemon said he was not “condoning or promoting violence” but expressed his frustration with the treatment of immigrants. He stated, “If you believe in the Constitution, Black people, Brown people of all stripes, whether you’re Indian American or Mexican American, go out and get a gun legally.” He continued, “When you have people knocking on your door and taking you away without due process, isn’t that what the Second Amendment was written for?”

His remarks have sparked backlash, particularly from conservative activists who accuse him of inciting violence against ICE agents. Lemon asserted that he hoped his comments could “knock some sense” into the Trump administration. Critics argue that he misrepresents the situation, as ICE specifically targets undocumented immigrants, not legal citizens.

After Lemon’s comments, Wajahat Ali defended him, stating, “Don Lemon has a right to express his views in the United States of America thanks to the First Amendment.” He suggested that Republicans should also support the right of all Americans to bear arms. Lemon’s statements have gained widespread attention, reaching large audiences across various platforms.

The Department of Homeland Security indicated a significant increase in assaults against ICE agents amid rising tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned Lemon’s comments as “unhinged,” asserting that rhetoric like this could lead to violence against law enforcement.

Lemon’s comments come in a charged political climate where immigration policies are a key issue for the Biden administration. Critics, including some legal scholars, argue that advocacy for armed resistance could encourage vigilante behavior. So far, Lemon has not directly addressed the subsequent backlash or provided further clarification on his statements.