Former CNN anchor Don Lemon ignited controversy on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, when he urged Black and Brown Americans to legally arm themselves in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, claiming the Second Amendment exists precisely for situations where citizens face government overreach.
During his appearance on “The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali” podcast, Lemon directed his message specifically toward legal residents and citizens of color, encouraging them to obtain firearms and carry permits through proper legal channels. He framed his remarks around recent reports of ICE detaining American citizens during immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration.
Lemon emphasized he was not promoting violence but expressed frustration with what he characterized as unlawful detentions occurring without due process. He specifically called on Black households and Brown people of all backgrounds, including Indian-Americans and Mexican-Americans, to purchase guns, store them safely, and educate their children about firearm safety.
The former television host, who spent 17 years at CNN before his termination following workplace misogyny allegations, stated he was tired of taking a passive approach while ICE agents allegedly rounded people up without proper legal procedures. According to Lemon, “Get a license to carry legally because when you have people knocking on your door and taking you away without due process as a citizen, isn’t that what the Second Amendment was written for?”
Lemon argued that armed citizens might force reconsideration among those denying reports of American citizens being detained by immigration authorities. He also highlighted what he views as hypocrisy among conservative Second Amendment advocates, suggesting that when he and Ali, both men of color, invoke gun rights, they face different reactions than white gun owners typically receive.
The journalist further addressed immigration policy by comparing the criminality levels of undocumented border crossings to other offenses. He noted that crossing the border illegally constitutes a misdemeanor on the first offense, only escalating with repeated violations. Lemon pointed to President Trump’s 2024 conviction for falsifying business records in the Manhattan hush-money case, arguing this represented a higher level of criminality than someone crossing the border without authorization.
Wajahat Ali defended the discussion in a statement, asserting that Lemon has First Amendment rights to express his views. Ali suggested that Republicans should support the idea of Americans legally bearing arms, questioning whether Second Amendment protections should apply differently based on race. He challenged critics to publicly admit if they believe gun rights should be restricted to white Trump supporters.
The Department of Homeland Security responded sharply to Lemon’s remarks. Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin characterized his comments as unhinged, stating that calling for violence against law enforcement is un-American. McLaughlin noted that ICE agents already face a 1,000 percent increase in assaults since beginning immigration raids, including terrorist attacks, vehicles used as weapons, rocks thrown at officers, and gunfire.
McLaughlin warned that inflammatory rhetoric carries consequences and could result in officers being killed. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had previously reported the dramatic surge in assaults against ICE agents in August, highlighting the dangerous conditions facing immigration enforcement personnel.
Lemon’s comments represent his latest public statements since establishing his own Lemon Media Network following his departure from CNN. The journalist now produces content across social media platforms, YouTube, and his website, maintaining his presence in political commentary despite no longer hosting a traditional television program.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement policies and constitutional rights debates. Lemon’s specific targeting of his message to Black and Brown communities reflects his view that these populations face disproportionate risk of wrongful detention during ICE operations, though the Department of Homeland Security disputes characterizations of enforcement activities as unlawful.
