Photo: Alamy
The Trump administration said it has launched a federal investigation after anti-ICE protesters disrupted a church service in Minneapolis on Sunday, prompting condemnation from senior administration officials.
Dozens of protesters entered the Cities Church sanctuary midway through the service, according to congregants. The group believed one of the church’s pastors serves as the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s St. Paul field office.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said she spoke with the pastor and confirmed the Justice Department would investigate.
“I just spoke to the Pastor in Minnesota whose church was targeted. Attacks against law enforcement and the intimidation of Christians are being met with the full force of federal law,” Bondi said in a statement.
“If state leaders refuse to act responsibly to prevent lawlessness, this Department of Justice will remain mobilized to prosecute federal crimes and ensure that the rule of law prevails,” she added.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also denounced the incident, saying video footage showed protesters shouting inside the church during the service. Church members said some protesters followed congregants into the parking lot afterward, surrounding vehicles and attempting to block people from leaving.
“President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship,” Leavitt posted to X.
“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.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following expanded ICE operations and recent protests. The situation in the Twin Cities area has increased after an ICE shooting involving a local woman who was fatally shot while hitting an agent with her vehicle.
“Agitators aren’t just targeting our officers. Now they’re targeting churches, too,” the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency stated. “They’re going from hotel to hotel, church to church, hunting for federal law enforcement who are risking their lives to protect Americans.”