Bondi Signals DOJ Will Not Back Down After Church Disruption, Warns ‘Agitators’ — Including Don Lemon — Are Not Immune

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi made clear Friday that the Department of Justice under President Donald J. Trump has no intention of looking the other way after a mob-style disruption of a church service in Minnesota — even if the individuals involved claim media credentials.

Speaking during a Fox News appearance, Bondi vowed that federal prosecutors will continue pursuing accountability for those who stormed a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, including the potential for renewed legal action against former CNN host Don Lemon.

Bondi emphasized that federal law protects religious gatherings and that ideological activism does not grant immunity.

“If you protested and went into that church on Sunday, and you terrorized the parishioners, we are coming after you,” she said, stressing that no individual is “above the law.”

During an exchange with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Bondi sharpened her warning:

“If you protested and went into that church on Sunday, and you terrorized the parishioners, we are coming after you… I don’t care who you are, if you’re a failed CNN journalist, you have no right to do that in this country. We don’t live in a third-world country. We’re going to protect our houses of worship in this country,” she said.

WATCH:

The remarks follow a January 18 anti-ICE protest in which activists entered Cities Church mid-service, shouted slogans, and interrupted worship. Demonstrators claimed they were protesting alleged ties between the church’s pastor and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Bondi confirmed that three individuals connected to the disruption — Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly — were arrested earlier this week. Although charging documents have not yet been released publicly, a federal judge appointed during the Biden administration ordered the individuals freed after determining they were not flight risks.

According to Bondi, the DOJ initially sought to pursue charges against Lemon based on his involvement and presence at the protest. A federal magistrate judge declined to sign the complaint, meaning no charges have been filed so far. Bondi, however, indicated that prosecutors are exploring other legal pathways and that the department “will remain mobilized to prosecute federal crimes.”

Lemon, who attended the protest and livestreamed portions of the event, has claimed he was acting as a journalist for his independent platform. He has publicly criticized the DOJ’s actions, portraying them as politically driven.

The incident has drawn national attention, with religious leaders and federal officials condemning the protest as a violation of the right to worship and warning that demonstrators crossed clear legal lines. The DOJ has confirmed it is reviewing potential civil rights violations and obstruction offenses under federal law.

Rather than backing down, Lemon has publicly taunted federal authorities.

“I stand proud, and I stand tall. This is not a victory lap for me, because it’s not over. They’re going to try again… And guess what? Here I am. Keep trying. That’s not going to stop me from being a journalist. You’re not going to diminish my voice. Go ahead. Make me into the new Jimmy Kimmel if you want,” Lemon said during Thursday’s episode of his YouTube show. “Just do it. Because I’m not going anywhere… None of this is about justice. This is about power. And it’s about people who are incompetent. It’s not about justice,” he said in a video posted to social media.

That video drew a terse response from Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon, who replied with a single word: “Okay.”