Judge in Don Lemon indictment asks to see grand jury records, adding to growing scrutiny of Justice Department cases

A federal judge in Minnesota is investigating whether grounds exist to dismiss the Justice Department's case against journalist Don Lemon. This comes as judges across the country are showing growing skepticism towards the Department of Justice's (DOJ) practices in grand jury proceedings. Federal judges in Wyoming, Illinois, and Virginia have either dismissed charges or criticized prosecutors for missteps in grand jury proceedings.

Minnesota federal Judge Laura Provinzino recently issued an order demanding the DOJ provide her extensive grand jury materials related to Lemon and his co-defendants. Provinzino set a deadline for the DOJ to provide the requested materials by Tuesday. Lemon's legal team has been actively seeking grand jury records, citing "irregularities" in the grand jury that led to his indictment.

Judge Provinzino's order balances the need for secrecy in grand juries with the possibility of dismissing the case due to potential misconduct. The DOJ's initial attempt to charge Lemon in January was rejected by a federal magistrate judge, which angered then-Attorney General Pam Bondi. Lemon faces charges of conspiring to violate someone's constitutional rights and violating the FACE Act, which prohibits the use of force or threats to interfere with someone's religious practices. Lemon has pleaded not guilty to both charges.