Federal authorities arrested three individuals following a protest that interrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, targeting a pastor affiliated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The demonstration, linked to the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer, drew swift action from the Trump administration amid escalating tensions over immigration enforcement. A judge rejected charges against journalist Don Lemon involved in the event, while Vice President JD Vance visited the state to assess the situation.
On Sunday, January 19, 2026, protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul, a Southern Baptist Convention affiliate, during a service. The group chanted "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," referencing the 37-year-old mother of three fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier that month. The church lists David Easterwood, who leads the local ICE field office, as one of its pastors—a dual role critics like civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong called a "fundamental moral conflict."
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrests on X, starting with Levy Armstrong, a former NAACP Minneapolis branch president and prominent activist. She had urged Easterwood's resignation, stating, "You cannot lead a congregation while directing an agency whose actions have cost lives and inflicted fear in our communities." Bondi later reported the arrest of Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a St. Paul Public Schools board member and Black Lives Matter Twin Cities leader, charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act for obstructing a religious service. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the third arrest, of William Kelly.
Bondi emphasized, "WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP," underscoring religious freedom. The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation into the disruption but declined one into Good's death, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche citing no basis and describing her actions as "an act of domestic terrorism."
A magistrate judge rejected federal charges against Don Lemon, who entered the church claiming journalistic coverage. Lemon stated, "That's called journalism," after speaking with participants. Officials, including Blanche, argued press freedom does not cover embedding with protesters. The administration is exploring other avenues for charges.
Vice President JD Vance arrived in Minnesota on Thursday, meeting ICE officers amid ongoing protests against federal immigration operations. He deemed invoking the Insurrection Act unnecessary for now but warned of potential escalation if assaults on agents continue, blaming local non-cooperation. Subpoenas were issued to Governor Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey, and others for allegedly impeding enforcement. Frey called the probe "frivolous political retribution."
Church representatives, via attorney Doug Wardlow of True North Legal, praised the arrests as decisive against the "terrible crime." Allen defended ongoing activism, saying it highlights ICE's "terrorizing" communities.
