‘Will not tolerate harassment of Christians’: Trump admin condemns anti-ICE church protest

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House issued a stern condemnation and announced a Department of Justice investigation after a group of protesters disrupted a Sunday service at St Paul Church on Sunday, January 18, in Minnesota.

The incident was sparked by activists’ claims that one of the church’s pastors is a high-ranking official with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who oversees a local crackdown.

Justice Department probes protest at Minnesota church

The Trump administration took a firm stance against the disruption at Cities Church in Minnesota.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the situation on X, declaring, "President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship."

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

Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon explained that the Civil Rights Division is involved to protect the congregation.

She stated, "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."

Anti-ICE protest disrupts Minnesota church service

The incident unfolded on Sunday, January 18, when a group of anti-ICE protesters entered the church after believing that a pastor there worked for the immigration office. 

Videos from the scene show the group shouting, "Justice for Renee Good" and "Who needs justice, we need justice," while congregants were trying to worship.

The church does have a pastor named David Easterwood, which is the same name as an ICE director in the area, but it has not been confirmed whether they are the same person. 

DHS warns protesters targeting ICE and churches

The Department of Homeland Security shared videos of the protest and warned that these groups are now following federal workers to private locations.

DHS stated, "Agitators aren’t just targeting our officers. Now they’re targeting churches, too."

The agency claimed that these groups are "going from hotel to hotel, church to church, hunting for federal law enforcement who are risking their lives to protect Americans." Despite the protests, DHS said, "We won’t be deterred. ICE isn’t going anywhere."

DHS then criticized Governor Walz and Mayor Frey, saying they are responsible for "whipping these mobs into a frenzy and then allowing them to run rampant." DHS further stated, "We won’t be deterred, ICE isn’t going anywhere."