The following is an edited transcript excerpt from The Michael Knowles Show.

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Since getting canned from CNN, Don Lemon has apparently decided to reinvent himself. Not as a journalist, but as some kind of YouTuber or “man on the street” troll. Whatever this is supposed to be, it’s Don Lemon wandering around with a microphone.

After conspiring with a Left-wing mob to violate the FACE Act and interrupt a church service in Minneapolis, Lemon is now suddenly popping up on sidewalks questioning random people about illegal immigration. And he’s armed with the most childish, recycled Left-wing talking points imaginable.

You’ve heard these lines before. Probably from your lesbian cousin or your purple-haired roommate, whichever liberal you love and tolerate in your own life. And Don Lemon delivers the greatest hit right on cue: crossing the border illegally is not a crime.

Watch:

Don Lemon: “Being here illegally is not a crime, it’s a misdemeanor.”

Ordinary Citizen: “Isn’t a misdemeanor a crime?”

😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/LTfDiHrTqH

— Verbal Riot (@verbalriotshow) January 20, 2026

Credit: @verbalriotshow/X.com

I love it. This woman Lemon is talking to is clearly not originally from here, she has a slight accent, and she seems to be taking Don Lemon at his word. Lemon keeps insisting that a misdemeanor is not a crime, which is already an insane thing to say. Then a guy off camera finally jumps in and says the obvious: “Yes it is. Ask him. Is a misdemeanor a crime?”

Don Lemon scrambles. “It’s not a criminal act, no. If you get charged with a misdemeanor, it’s not a criminal act.”

The woman then pauses and asks the most basic question imaginable: “So why charge them at all then, if it’s not a criminal act?”

Now he’s backpedaling hard. “Because we have different levels of crime. Everything is not the same.” And that’s when she nails him. She calmly points out that if there are different levels of crime, then it is a crime—just a lesser one than a felony.

Which means he just admitted the whole thing.

Cue the nervous laughter.

And that’s it. She completely humiliates him. It’s painful to watch.

WATCH: The Michael Knowles Show

This is the standard liberal script. They’ll say illegal immigration isn’t a felony, which also isn’t even always true, especially for repeat offenders. But let’s pretend it isn’t. They say it’s just a misdemeanor. The obvious response, which this woman delivered effortlessly, is that misdemeanors are crimes.

Then comes the next dodge: well, lots of things are misdemeanors. Speeding really fast can be a misdemeanor. Certain drug offenses can be misdemeanors. Property crimes, vehicle crimes, whatever.

Fine. Don’t even argue the comparison. Just ask the follow-up question.

What’s the punishment?

Different misdemeanors have different punishments, right? Okay. What’s the punishment for the misdemeanor of illegal immigration?

Deportation.

That’s it. That’s the punishment. And that’s exactly what’s happening.

“But they’re not getting due process!”

Yes, they are. The first step in due process is getting arrested. Then you get processed based on the offense. Then there’s adjudication — guilty, not guilty, released, or removed. That’s the system.

So credit where it’s due. I don’t know this woman’s name, but she did a great job. She didn’t yell. She didn’t posture. She just followed the logic to its conclusion and Don Lemon couldn’t survive his own talking points.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is trying to rev up support to host an IndyCar race on the National Mall in August as part of the country’s celebration of 250 years. The only problem? Democrats are trying to pump the brakes on the idea.

Fast cars and freedom sound like an all-American good time. Several backseat-driving Democrats, however, think it’s “absurd” for Congress to give the green light to an IndyCar race in D.C. when lawmakers won’t even extend health care subsidies, Punchbowl News reported.

The race needs Congress to pass a bill for the event because, currently, there’s a ban on advertising on the Capitol grounds. And what do race cars have all over? Ads.

A United States Department of Transportation spokesperson emphasized what the event would mean to commemorate America250.

“The Grand Prix is an unprecedented opportunity to celebrate our nation’s proud racing pedigree, showcase the beauty of the National Mall, and generate millions in critical tourism revenue for the Capital. The Trump Administration is determined to make D.C. great again, and this race is another example of that commitment. We’ll keep working with our partners in Congress to outline the positive impacts it will have on the District and correct the record.”

The America250 celebration is already set to have a much-anticipated live UFC event on the White House Lawn, the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia, and the Patriot Games in Washington, D.C.

The proposed race would start at the Supreme Court and then do an entire lap around the National Mall, including the Lincoln Memorial. “Pit Row” would be set up by the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

The IndyCar Grand Prix idea has been floated to the aides of Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

A bipartisan prix is worrisome to the Democrats, who seem to only know how to white-knuckle the steering wheel. They argue it puts a strain on the U.S. Capitol Police and the surrounding roads. Democrats also think Republicans haven’t been helpful to them, according to Punchbowl News. They aren’t too keen on this race because so far the GOP has refused to hang a plaque honoring the victims of the January 6 Capitol riot, an aide told the outlet.

IndyCar told The Daily Wire that new events are something the organization welcomes.

“We continue to work on new events for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Major East Coast markets – like Washington D.C. and several other large metro destinations – are priorities for us,” a spokesperson said.

IndyCar has races scheduled for August already, but none in Washington, D.C. Per the league’s schedule, Secretary Duffy’s target date of August 21 is open. Still, it seems there might be a few pit stops before this event gets to the finish line.