Sheriff Grady Judd’s Response to Minnesota Church Protest

Grady Judd, the assertive sheriff of Polk County, Florida, has made it clear he isn’t shy about expressing his views, be it on local crime or broader national issues.

His outrage was palpable after a protest by left-wing activists against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday. Judd, reflecting the sentiments of many Americans, wanted to ensure that his community in Florida understood his position.

“Freedom of religion. It’s our right here in the United States of America,” he stated emphatically.

I stand in this chapel thinking about the mob that invaded worshippers in St. Paul last weekend. The service was interrupted, really cutting into the essence of the freedom we cherish in this country. For years, we’ve been able to worship freely in any chapel of our choosing. Such an attack is simply unacceptable.

He followed up with a sentiment many residents of Polk County appreciated: “If that had happened here, those rioters would be locked up in jail today. That’s where the federal government could have found them—incarcerated on state charges.”

“I’ve had enough. Let’s come together for the greater good of the United States; let’s worship freely and denounce the events of last Sunday in St. Paul,” he concluded.

A video of Judd’s remarks has amassed over 3 million views, generating significant discussion online.

• “Grady Judd as the world’s sheriff!” one person remarked.
• Another user expressed admiration: “I love Sheriff Grady Judd. We need more leaders like him in our law enforcement.”
• Someone highlighted the importance of “religious freedom,” reinforcing that it’s a fundamental right in America.
• Another commenter pointed out a contradiction in the argument: “Some are suggesting that those who disrupted the church were just ‘exercising their First Amendment rights.’ But once they stepped onto church property, those protections no longer applied. Their actions directly infringed on the religious rights of the congregation.”

Meanwhile, two individuals, Nekima Levi Armstrong and Chauntil Louisa Allen, were arrested Thursday in connection with the church protest. Attorney General Pam Bondi also stated that William Kelly was taken into custody later that day.

Interestingly, former CNN anchor Don Lemon appears to have avoided charges. He claimed he was acting as a journalist during the incident at the church, which reportedly is linked to an ICE office.

Sources mention that a federal judge in Minnesota dismissed the complaint against Lemon, prompting outrage from the Attorney General, according to CBS News.