A volatile new front has emerged in the escalating confrontation between anti-ICE activists and federal authorities, this time involving a house of worship. On Sunday, a group of anti-ICE agitators stormed a church in St. Paul, Minnesota, interrupting a Christian worship service after claiming that a pastor inside was affiliated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The incident has triggered condemnation from federal officials, prompted a Justice Department investigation, and intensified the political dispute over protest tactics in the Twin Cities.
The @CivilRights is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers. @AGPamBondi https://t.co/uZBBv1iuuH
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) January 18, 2026
Video circulating online shows demonstrators entering the sanctuary of Cities Church as the service was beginning and chanting slogans including “Justice for Renee Good.” The chanting echoed through the church as congregants sat in their seats, with some videos capturing protesters standing in the middle of the sanctuary while a pastor attempted to speak. In one clip, the individual filming the disruption described it as a “clandestine mission,” claiming the group had just learned that one of the church’s pastors was connected to ICE.
Cities Church lists eight pastors serving in various roles, including an individual named David Easterwood. That name matches the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office, though it has not been confirmed whether the two men are the same person. Fox News Digital reported it has reached out to ICE for clarification. ICE itself amplified the controversy by sharing one of the protest videos on social media, underscoring the seriousness with which federal officials are treating the incident.
President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship.
The Department of Justice has launched a full investigation into the despicable incident that took place earlier today at a church in Minnesota.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 19, 2026
In a sharply worded statement, the Department of Homeland Security warned that activists are no longer limiting their actions to protests outside government buildings or hotels. According to DHS, demonstrators are now moving “from hotel to hotel, church to church,” actively seeking out federal law enforcement officers. The agency placed blame squarely on Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing them of encouraging unrest through their rhetoric and then allowing it to spiral out of control. DHS emphasized that ICE operations would continue despite the pressure.
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether the disruption violated federal civil rights laws, including the FACE Act, which protects access to religious worship. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon confirmed her division is examining whether protesters interfered with Christian worshippers, and Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the investigation is being conducted at her direction, with prosecutions promised if federal law was broken. The White House echoed that message, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warning that the Trump administration will not tolerate intimidation or harassment of Christians in their places of worship.
"This is my neighborhood, " man with a rifle stands outside a home in St. Paul after multiple ICE sightings in the area.
Video by @noturtlesoup17 @FreedomNTV [email protected] to license pic.twitter.com/EiQPA70iy2
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) January 18, 2026
Mayor Frey has pushed back against federal characterizations of the protests, defending demonstrators as peaceful and arguing that the administration’s immigration enforcement surge has made residents feel targeted rather than protected. Appearing on national television, Frey framed the protests as an expression of community solidarity rather than lawlessness.