On October 14, former CNN host Don Lemon engaged in an inflammatory tirade urging “brown people” of all ethnic backgrounds to acquire firearms in the event Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) comes “knocking” on their doors.
Lemon, who was fired by CNN back in 2023 following contentious comments he made thought to be sexist toward then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, has found himself back in the proverbial spotlight after a diatribe he delivered while appearing on The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali on October 14.
Speaking in reference to the current administration’s approach to tackling illegal immigration, Lemon suggested anyone with a shade of brown skin should obtain firearms due to the ongoing immigration sweeps taking place at various sanctuary states and cities across the country.
“Black people, Brown people of all stripes, whether you're an Indian American or a Mexican American or whoever you are, go out in your place where you live and get a gun legally. Get a license to carry legally,” Lemon stated during the appearance, adding, “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?”
Taking Lemon’s comments at face value, many perceived that he was outwardly endorsing violence, particularly lethal violence, against ICE agents attempting to enforce immigration law. Outside of the alarming nature of seemingly endorsing the idea of murdering law enforcement officers, given Lemon’s sizeable platform, the rhetoric at hand is also unnerving, given the heightened state of political violence occurring within the country.
Newsweek quoted University College London Center on U.S. Politics founder Thomas Gift, who commented on the controversy surrounding Lemon, with Gift saying, “It’s certainly justifiable to criticize the president’s use of ICE agents, but responding with a form of vigilante justice - suggesting that immigrants take up arms against law enforcement - is a step too far. It’s little wonder there’s been backlash to Lemon’s comments.”
Lemon, who was fired by CNN back in 2023 following contentious comments he made thought to be sexist toward then-Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, has found himself back in the proverbial spotlight after a diatribe he delivered while appearing on The Left Hook with Wajahat Ali on October 14.
Speaking in reference to the current administration’s approach to tackling illegal immigration, Lemon suggested anyone with a shade of brown skin should obtain firearms due to the ongoing immigration sweeps taking place at various sanctuary states and cities across the country.
“Black people, Brown people of all stripes, whether you're an Indian American or a Mexican American or whoever you are, go out in your place where you live and get a gun legally. Get a license to carry legally,” Lemon stated during the appearance, adding, “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?”
Taking Lemon’s comments at face value, many perceived that he was outwardly endorsing violence, particularly lethal violence, against ICE agents attempting to enforce immigration law. Outside of the alarming nature of seemingly endorsing the idea of murdering law enforcement officers, given Lemon’s sizeable platform, the rhetoric at hand is also unnerving, given the heightened state of political violence occurring within the country.
Newsweek quoted University College London Center on U.S. Politics founder Thomas Gift, who commented on the controversy surrounding Lemon, with Gift saying, “It’s certainly justifiable to criticize the president’s use of ICE agents, but responding with a form of vigilante justice - suggesting that immigrants take up arms against law enforcement - is a step too far. It’s little wonder there’s been backlash to Lemon’s comments.”
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Comments
2025-10-19T02:27-0400 | Comment by: Larry
So Don The Lemon is calling for minorites to obtain weapons ( he says legally, right) to protect themselves from the men and women of ICE who are performing their jobs. Sounds to me like he wants to see bloodshed. Isn't that called inciting violence? Maybe he should have a close encounter of the worst kind, and get brought up on charges. Now I'm not a lawyer, but he's advocating blacks and browns to be prepared to shoot at the law. That's NOT covered by 1A, and he's using interstate communications to do it. He needs to get a visit from his friendly, local federal agents to explain to him the error of his ways. SMDH.
2025-10-19T17:13-0400 | Comment by: Phil
Lemonhead professes to oppose violence but yet he tells "brown" to arm themselves which implies they should use violence against law enforcement officers, ICE. Lemonhead and those of his ilk are vile, damgerous disgusting low lifes.
2025-10-19T20:11-0400 | Comment by: Paul
So how does Don purpose that the illegals being targeted, get a gun legally?
2025-10-19T20:18-0400 | Comment by: elaine
Lemon is the word we are not allowed to say
2025-10-20T01:21-0400 | Comment by: James
Well if I was still working an entered a any location and faced a firearm pointed at me they would not have to deport the person only his body. Mr. Lemon's remarks may cause the demise of people that follow his advice.
2025-10-20T21:56-0400 | Comment by: James
I believe Don IS a Lemon!
2025-10-23T15:53-0400 | Comment by: Rick
Don gives advice that will make ridding the United States of illegal aliens much quicker. What a moron.