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DOJ expands charges in Minnesota church protest case
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that 30 additional individuals face federal charges for their involvement in an anti-ICE demonstration last month at a St. Paul church. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that 25 of the defendants named in a newly unsealed indictment have already been detained, with further arrests expected.
Protest details and initial arrests
The demonstration on January 18 disrupted a service at Cities Church, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Protesters chanted "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," referencing a Minneapolis woman fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier that month. Video footage captured chaotic confrontations between protesters and congregants.
Among those initially charged were former CNN anchor Don Lemon and nine others, all of whom have pleaded not guilty to civil rights violations. Lemon, who was live-streaming the event, defended his actions as journalistic duty, stating, "I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now."
Indictment allegations and legal response
The indictment accuses the defendants of a "coordinated takeover-style attack" on the church, involving "acts of oppression, intimidation, threats, interference, and physical obstruction." All 39 individuals arrested face charges of conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the right to worship.
"YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. If you do so, you cannot hide from us - we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith."
Attorney General Pam Bondi, social media statement
Doug Wardlow, legal counsel for Cities Church, welcomed the additional arrests, asserting they "send a clear message: houses of worship are off limits for those who would use chaos and intimidation to advance a political agenda." Wardlow added that the protest "placed congregants, including children, in fear for their lives."
Broader context of Minnesota protests
The church demonstration followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a mother of three, by an ICE officer during a protest against immigration enforcement. Three weeks later, federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, during another demonstration. Both incidents occurred amid heightened tensions over the Trump administration's immigration policies in Minnesota, which have since concluded.
Next steps
Legal proceedings for the 39 defendants are ongoing. The DOJ has not specified a timeline for the remaining arrests or court dates.
