Additional Coverage:
- Anti-ICE mob storms Minnesota church over pastor’s alleged ties to immigration enforcement (foxnews.com)
Anti-ICE Protesters Disrupt St. Paul Church Service, Sparking Federal Probe
St. Paul, MN – A worship service at Cities Church in St.
Paul was abruptly interrupted Sunday by a group of anti-ICE agitators who stormed the sanctuary, alleging a pastor within the church had ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The incident has raised significant concerns among law enforcement and religious leaders, highlighting escalating tensions surrounding anti-ICE demonstrations across the Twin Cities.
Videos circulating online show demonstrators chanting “Justice for Renee Good” and “Who needs justice, we need justice” as they stood inside the church during the service. One individual filming the disruption described it as a “clandestine mission,” claiming protesters had just learned of a pastor’s alleged connection to ICE.
Cities Church lists several pastors, including David Easterwood, a name shared by the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office. Fox News Digital has reportedly reached out to ICE to verify if the two individuals are indeed the same person.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) publicly shared one of the protest videos, stating, “Agitators aren’t just targeting our officers. Now they’re targeting churches, too.” DHS further accused protesters of “hunting for federal law enforcement who are risking their lives to protect Americans” and criticized Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly “whipping these mobs into a frenzy.”
In response to the incident, the Department of Justice has launched an investigation into potential violations of the federal FACE Act, which prohibits interference with religious worship. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division confirmed the probe, with Attorney General Pam Bondi vowing to prosecute any federal law violations.
The White House also condemned the disruption, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship.”
Meanwhile, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has defended the protests, pushing back against federal officials’ characterization of the demonstrations. Appearing on CBS’ Face the Nation, Frey argued that the influx of federal agents has made residents feel targeted.
“This is not about safety. What this is about is coming into our city by the thousands and terrorizing people simply because they’re Latino or Somali,” Frey stated.
He described the protests as peaceful expressions of support for neighbors and a demonstration of “loving and caring for the people that call this city home.”
This incident follows a federal judge’s recent restriction of ICE agents amid ongoing Minneapolis area protests and comes as the Minnesota National Guard has been placed on standby to support law enforcement.