When the Pulpit Becomes PR: Dr. Jamal Bryant, Public Backlash, and the Church’s Crisis of Credibility QCP Part 2 Feature What began as backlash over a dress has now grown into a much larger conversation about power, influence, hypocrisy, and how the modern pulpit is being used—not just for preaching the gospel, but for public relations, damage control, and narrative shaping. Dr. Pastor Jamal Bryant and his wife, Dr. Karri Bryant, became the center of public criticism after Karri Bryant wore a dress to a gala that many online deemed inappropriate for a pastor’s wife. The internet did what it always does—reacted loudly, emotionally, and publicly. But what followed may have been more concerning than the dress itself. During his New Year’s Eve broadcast, Dr. Jamal Bryant addressed the backlash directly. Instead of de-escalation, he escalated—labeling critics as people who were “lacking in life experiences,” “broke,” and “never been anywhere.” The moment instantly went viral. Commentary pou...
When Journalism, Protest & the First Amendment Collide: What Really Happened With Don Lemon at Cities Church?
When Journalism, Protest & the First Amendment Collide: What Really Happened With Don Lemon at Cities Church? On January 18, 2026, a dramatic confrontation unfolded at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. A group of anti-ICE protesters walked into a Sunday worship service, chanting slogans like “ICE out!” and “Hands up! Don’t shoot!”, citing federal immigration enforcement actions in the region and the death of Renee Good. They said their target was a pastor allegedly connected to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Among those documenting the scene was independent journalist Don Lemon, 59, a former CNN anchor with a long media career now working on his own reporting ventures. Lemon livestreamed parts of the protest, interviewed participants and congregants, and narrated the actions to viewers—right in the sanctuary as the service was disrupted. Why Was Don Lemon Arrested? In late January, federal prosecutors secured a grand jury indictment charging Lemon an...