Legal AF by MeidasTouch Trump DOJ Humiliated in Minnesota as GOP Judge Shuts Down Scheme
Jan 28, 2026
A bold federal judge rejects the Justice Department's power play and clears a journalist of charges in a startling courtroom letter. The show walks through a protest, magistrate findings, and why grand juries did not indict. It spotlights recent legal blowups for top Trump-aligned officials and a dramatic contempt threat that led to a sudden release.
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Judge's Rare Public Rebuff Of DOJ
- Chief Judge Schiltz publicly rebuked the DOJ's attempt to override a magistrate and effectively cleared Don Lemon of criminal behavior.
- The judge called the DOJ's mandamus request unprecedented and suggested the proper path is to re-present affidavits or seek a grand jury indictment.
Church Protest Coverage By Don Lemon
- The incident began at a January 18 protest inside a St. Paul church that Don Lemon covered live on Substack/YouTube.
- Popok stresses Lemon recorded as a journalist with a producer and did not engage in violence.
Magistrate Declined Probable Cause For Journalists
- A magistrate judge found probable cause for most defendants but explicitly rejected charges for Don Lemon and his producer.
- The magistrate emphasized their status as journalists covering an event, not participating in criminal conduct.