Minnesota’s immigration battles exploded into national controversy Sunday after anti-ICE activists stormed a St. Paul church mid-service, prompting MAGA leaders to call for journalist Don Lemon to be arrested under the federal FACE Act for his role in the disruption.
The shocking confrontation unfolded at Cities Church, where a large group tied to the Radical Justice Network pushed through the sanctuary doors, chanting anti-ICE slogans, accusing church leaders of cooperating with federal agents, and sparking panic among families gathered for worship.
Lemon, now an independent broadcaster after his CNN exit, wasn’t just reporting. He followed the activists into the church, livestreaming the chaos as it unfolded.
The group said it was protesting the recent ICE crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump and the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three killed earlier this month in Minneapolis during an ICE operation. Federal investigators say Good attempted to run over Agent Jonathan Ross before he opened fire.
Before entering the church, protester Nekima Levy Armstrong told Lemon on camera:
“This will not stand. They cannot pretend to be a house of God while harboring someone directing ICE agents to terrorize our communities.”
The activists then marched straight into the sanctuary.
Witnesses say the service fell apart instantly.
One congregant told TNND, “These people walked right into our worship like they owned the place. Kids were crying. Families left. It felt like a violation.”
Lemon followed protesters deep into the church, filming as they confronted church leaders and accused Pastor David Eastwood of “collaborating with ICE.” Their accusation was baseless, but the crowd pressed forward.
At one point, Lemon approached a church pastor who told him sharply:
“No one is willing to talk. I have to take care of my church and my family. Please leave.”
Lemon later noted, in astonishment, that police watched from outside and did not intervene—fueling criticism of Minnesota’s Democratic leadership.
Video clips of Lemon inside the sanctuary spread instantly across conservative social media.
Influencer Benny Johnson blasted Lemon’s involvement as “not just an obscene violation of the FACE Act — it’s likely a hate crime.”
The FACE Act, passed in 1994, protects both reproductive health clinics and houses of worship from intimidation, obstruction, or force. Sunday’s events appeared to check all three boxes.
Right-wing commentator Matt Walsh reposted the video with the caption: “Arrest them. All of them.”
Baptist minister Paul Chappell wrote:
“We condemn the actions of Don Lemon and the group of activists who stormed Cities Church today. Christians everywhere should demand that the DOJ arrest those who participated. We must protect religious liberty in this country.”
The Trump administration wasted no time.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced that the DOJ Civil Rights Division is already investigating potential FACE Act violations.
“These people desecrated a house of worship and interfered with Christian worshippers,” Dhillon wrote on X. “We’re investigating.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi followed with a forceful statement:
“I just spoke to the pastor whose church was targeted. Attacks against law enforcement and intimidation of Christians will be met with the full force of federal law.”
Bondi added that if Minnesota leaders refuse to uphold order, the DOJ will step in.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered an even sharper warning:
“President Trump will not tolerate the harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship.”
Not everyone condemned the journalist.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, whom Lemon interviewed earlier in the day, publicly thanked him “for being on the ground” and “lifting up the fight for truth and fairness.”
The praise only added fuel to the fire online, with conservatives accusing Ellison of openly supporting illegal disruptions of worship services.
Meanwhile, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey continues to rally against the federal immigration surge, telling CNN:
“Get the f*** out of Minneapolis.”
President Trump has deployed 3,000 ICE agents to Minnesota as part of his expanded immigration crackdown. In response, the state has seen escalating unrest, mass protests, and increasing clashes between activists and federal agents.
Trump has hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act if conditions worsen.
Gov. Tim Walz has activated the National Guard, though their deployment remains limited.
The DOJ is also investigating Frey and Walz for allegedly impeding federal law enforcement, an unprecedented move that underscores the deep federal-state divide.
Back at Cities Church, worshippers say the sanctuary remains rattled.
One member summed up the mood:
“I feel violated. Interrupted. Angry. Their point wasn’t made. They just scared people away from worshiping God.”
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MINNESOTA is one screwed up state. But then so many other states are the same. Young Amerikans and liberal white females are going to destroy this country even before our elected politicians do.
Does anyone not know of the FACE act that protects churches and houses of worship
I wanna know why Don lemming is not arrested and tried for the crime that he has committed. He does not have the right to barge into someone’s church and start preaching the first amendment. This guy is nothing but a communist piece of trash and he needs to be treated as if anybody else would for committing such a crime. He must be made an example of!!
We have way too many Communists now. These nutcases need to be arrested and jailed.
Where were the worthless cop. The church needs to sue the rioters and the stateSent from my iPhone
Arrest every Activist that stormed that Church and hall them to jail.
I condemn any one entering a place, house of worship, & storm or disturb worship. David.
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Journalist Don Lemon? He’s no more of a journalist than Mickey Mouse. He wasn’t covering the invasion of the church, he was complicit in it and only intent on keeping his own name in the public’s eye.