DOJ Launches Probe of Anti-ICE Protest At Minneapolis Church

The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing an anti–Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protest that disrupted a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, federal officials confirmed, raising serious questions about the line between political protest and federally protected religious freedom.

Video of the incident shows a group of demonstrators entering the church sanctuary during worship and chanting anti-ICE slogans, briefly interrupting the service before being escorted out. Congregants remained seated during the disruption, according to footage circulating online.

Former CNN anchor turned YouTuber Don Lemon documented portions of the incident, while additional video posted by Black Lives Matter Minnesota shows protesters chanting inside the sanctuary as services were underway.

Attorney Nekima Levy-Armstrong, who participated in the protest, defended the group’s actions during Lemon’s livestream.

“This cannot be a house of God while harboring someone directing ICE agents to wreak havoc on our community,” Levy-Armstrong told Lemon, per Fox9. “I am a reverend on top of being a lawyer and an activist, so I come here in the power of the almighty God.”

Cities Church lead pastor Jonathan Parnell condemned the intrusion, calling the conduct inside the church “shameful.”

“It’s shameful to see anyone interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship,” Parnell said. “I have to take care of my church and my family.”

Parnell then told Lemon to leave the property if he was not there to worship.

In a statement, the Justice Department said its Civil Rights Division is assessing whether the protest violated federal statutes protecting the free exercise of religion or prohibiting interference with religious services. Officials emphasized that the review remains ongoing and does not presume wrongdoing.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon responded forcefully after video of the incident spread online.

“We are on it @CivilRights, working with the USAO in Minneapolis. This is un-American and outrageous,” Dhillon wrote on X.

She later added: “A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws! Nor does the First Amendment protect your pseudo journalism of disrupting a prayer service. You are on notice!”

Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed that message, confirming the investigation was launched at her direction.

“I have been in constant communication with @AAGDhillon today over these events which @TheJusticeDept is investigating at my direction. Any violation of federal law will be prosecuted,” Bondi said.

The protest followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good earlier this month during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Authorities have stated that an ICE agent fired the fatal shot during a confrontation. That incident remains under separate review.

Good’s death has sparked a wave of demonstrations across the Twin Cities, with activists demanding accountability and changes to federal immigration enforcement. Organizers of Sunday’s protest said Cities Church was targeted over what they described as indirect connections between ICE and individuals associated with the congregation.

Federal officials, however, stressed that houses of worship are afforded explicit protections under civil rights law, regardless of political grievances. The Justice Department said its review will focus on whether worshippers were intentionally obstructed, intimidated, or prevented from exercising their religious rights.

Civil liberties groups criticized the federal response, arguing that focusing on the church disruption distracts from scrutiny of federal law enforcement actions. They contended that protests aimed at institutions connected to government power have historically played a role in civil rights movements.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald J. Trump is closely monitoring the situation and made clear the administration’s position.

“President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship,” Leavitt wrote.

“The Department of Justice has launched a full investigation into the despicable incident that took place earlier today at a church in Minnesota,” she added.