President Donald Trump’s administration has started an investigation after a group of anti-ICE activists disrupted a church service in Minneapolis on Sunday.
During the service at Cities Church, a large group stormed in, reportedly under the impression that one of the pastors was the acting head of ICE’s St. Paul office, according to churchgoers. The atmosphere quickly escalated as the crowd invaded the space.
High-ranking officials from the Trump administration condemned the violence that occurred that day. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “I just spoke with a pastor in Minnesota whose church was targeted. Federal law will fully respond to attacks against law enforcement and threats to Christians.”
Bondi emphasized: “When state leaders do not act to prevent illegal actions, the Department of Justice will step in to prosecute federal crimes and uphold the law.”
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt also addressed the incident on social media, expressing condemnation. Video footage showed participants shouting and disrupting the service, and church attendees mentioned that protesters followed them into the parking lot, attempting to stop them from leaving.
Leavitt added, “President Trump will not accept intimidation or harassment of Christians in sacred places.”
Furthermore, the Justice Department is fully committed to investigating this troubling event, as stated by officials, including Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights. Dhillon assured that they were “working diligently” towards justice.
As tensions rise, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey defended the activists, asserting that they were not acting unlawfully and countering claims that they were inciting unrest. During an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation, he described the influx of federal agents as having a harmful impact, causing residents to feel targeted rather than protected.
Frey expressed, “This isn’t a safety issue. It’s about thousands entering our city and intimidating people simply for being Latino or Somali. The residents of Minneapolis are standing up peacefully, advocating for their neighbors. This isn’t just about opposing Trump; it’s about showing love and care for those who call this city home. And that is truly uplifting.”
