A group of anti-ICE protesters disrupted a worship service Sunday at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, claiming one of the pastors had ties to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Videos from the event show demonstrators chanting inside the sanctuary, raising concerns among religious leaders and law enforcement about targeting houses of worship during ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations.
In one clip, protesters can be heard shouting “Justice for Renee Good” as they stood in the middle of the sanctuary while the service was underway. The disruption was described as a “clandestine mission,” with organizers claiming they had learned a pastor at the church was affiliated with ICE.
Cities Church lists eight pastors, including David Easterwood, who shares a name with the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office. ICE confirmed that one of the videos from the protest circulated widely on social media and is being reviewed. Officials have not yet clarified whether the pastor and the ICE director are the same individual.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the protesters, saying they were “hunting for federal law enforcement” and targeting churches and hotels. DHS called out Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing them of allowing mobs to run unchecked. The agency stated, “We won’t be deterred. ICE isn’t going anywhere.”
The Justice Department has launched an investigation to determine whether civil rights laws were violated during the church disruption. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon confirmed the Civil Rights Division is reviewing potential violations of the federal FACE Act, which protects houses of worship and their members from intimidation. Attorney General Pam Bondi said any federal law violations would be prosecuted.
The White House also condemned the protest, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that the Trump administration will not tolerate harassment or intimidation in places of worship.
Local officials, however, pushed back on federal criticism. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey defended the protests as a peaceful expression of concern over immigration enforcement policies. In an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation, Frey said federal operations in the city have made residents feel targeted rather than safe. He added, “This is not just about resisting Trump. This is about loving and caring for the people that call this city home. It’s been inspiring to see neighbors stand up peacefully.”
The protests in Minnesota come amid heightened tensions following the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good, which sparked widespread demonstrations in the Twin Cities. Some residents described feeling threatened by the increased federal presence, while others called for accountability and protection of civil rights.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, and federal investigators are expected to interview witnesses and review video evidence to determine if legal action is warranted. Religious leaders in St. Paul have called for calm and emphasized the importance of protecting places of worship from disruption.