Ice: ‘You can’t attack a house of worship’: Justice Department indicts 30 more over anti-ICE church protests in Minnesota
The Trump administration announced Friday new federal charges against 30 more people suspected of involvement in the Jan. 18 attack on a city church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during anti-ICE protests. Attorney General Pam Bondi said 25 of those charged have been arrested and more are expected to be detained.In a social media post, Bundy called interference with worship services an “attack on a house of worship” and warned “we will find you, arrest you and prosecute you.” She added that the Justice Department “represents Christians and all Americans of faith.”The expanded indictment brings the total number of people charged in the case to 39, all charged with conspiring to violate religious freedom and interfere with the right to worship under federal law.Among those charged were several high-profile figures, including independent journalists and activists such as Don Lemon, Georgia Fort and Nekima Levy Armstrong. All have pleaded not guilty to civil rights-related charges.
what happened to city church
Protesters entered a city church during Sunday services, chanting slogans against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanding accountability for federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota. The demonstrations were reportedly sparked after activists learned that one of the church’s pastors also served as a local ICE officer.According to the indictment, the group conducted “coordinated takeover-style attacks,” hindering worshipers and intimidating congregants, including children.The case has attracted widespread political attention, with conservative leaders and Justice Department officials condemning the protests, while supporters of the demonstrators have raised questions about free speech and press freedom.The development comes amid broader tensions in Minnesota over federal immigration enforcement operations and protests sparked by the deaths of civilians in ICE operations earlier this year.
