Former CNN host Don Lemon just dropped a bombshell that’s got everyone from Second Amendment enthusiasts to policy wonks buzzing.
During a recent podcast appearance, Lemon called on racial minorities to legally arm themselves against potential overreach by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while violent attacks on ICE facilities and agents continue to spike across the nation.
Let’s rewind to earlier this year, when tensions around ICE operations started boiling over. In July, shots were fired at ICE and Border Patrol facilities in Texas on two separate occasions. Ten individuals were even charged with attempted murder after a violent clash in Alvarado, Texas, during the same month.
Also in July, a raid on a California marijuana farm turned deadly when someone opened fire on ICE agents with a pistol after a warrant was secured. The FBI is now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction. That’s how serious this has gotten.
Fast forward to September, and the chaos only intensified. On Sept. 24, a tragic shooting at an ICE office in Dallas left two people dead, with the gunman ultimately taking his own life. It’s a grim reminder of the stakes at play.
Not to be outdone, ICE facilities in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have become flashpoints for riots fueled by opposition to the agency’s work with unauthorized migrants. On Sept. 26, the Department of Homeland Security reported multiple violent attacks on a facility in Broadview, Illinois, via a post on X. These aren’t just protests—they’re full-on assaults.
The violence isn’t limited to buildings—ICE agents themselves are in the crosshairs. A staggering 1000% year-over-year increase in assaults on agents was reported by the Department of Homeland Security in August. That’s not a typo; it’s a crisis.
In early October, during operations in Chicago, agents were attacked by assailants using cars to ram agency vehicles. Reports indicate Chicago police stood by rather than intervened on Oct. 4, leaving federal officers to fend for themselves. If that doesn’t raise eyebrows about local cooperation, what will?
Meanwhile, in Portland, violent protesters have reportedly targeted conservative journalists and even planned to use lasers against federal law enforcement aircraft. This isn’t just about policy disagreement—it’s a coordinated effort to undermine law enforcement. And the silence from certain progressive corners is deafening.
Enter Don Lemon, who chose this heated moment to make his voice heard on “The Left Hook” podcast last Thursday. “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,” Lemon declared.
Now, let’s unpack that. While the right to bear arms is enshrined in the Constitution, suggesting it as a direct response to federal enforcement actions feels like pouring gasoline on an already raging fire. Is this really the dialogue we need when tempers are flaring?
Lemon doubled down, adding, “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?” While his concern for due process is noted, framing gun ownership as a shield against federal agents risks escalating an already volatile situation.
Look, the Second Amendment exists for a reason, and lawful gun ownership is a right worth defending. But Lemon’s comments seem less about self-defense and more about stoking division at a time when ICE agents are literally under attack. Surely there’s a better way to address grievances without suggesting armed resistance.
The data speaks for itself—ICE is facing unprecedented hostility, from riots in multiple cities to deadly shootings. The agency’s mission to enforce immigration law, however controversial, doesn’t justify violence against its personnel or facilities. We can debate policy without resorting to chaos.
At the end of the day, this story isn’t just about Lemon’s words—it’s about a nation grappling with deep divides over immigration enforcement and personal freedoms. Both sides have valid points: protecting constitutional rights matters, but so does maintaining order. Let’s hope cooler heads prevail before more lives are lost.
