Anti-ICE Protesters Storm Church in Minnesota, Claiming Pastor Is Linked to ICE – Details

A peaceful Sunday service in Minnesota turned into a scene of chaos as anti-ICE protesters stormed a St. Paul church, chanting mid-prayer and accusing a pastor of secretly leading an ICE field office. Now, federal authorities have launched a civil rights investigation into the shocking disruption.

Tensions erupted inside Cities Church as stunned worshippers watched protesters march into the sanctuary, shouting slogans and defying the sanctity of the moment. With cameras rolling, the confrontation spiraled across social media, sparking political uproar, legal threats, and questions about where the protest ends and desecration begins.

Worship Service Shattered by Sudden Protest

The confrontation happened at Cities Church in St. Paul, stunning the congregation and grabbing headlines nationwide. Protesters accused one of the church's pastors of holding a key leadership role with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The explosive claim ignited fury and camera phones.

A video posted online captured the moment protesters stood inside the sanctuary mid-service, chanting, "Justice for Renee Good" and "Who needs justice, we need justice."

In another video, the person behind the camera called it a "clandestine mission" and claimed they had only recently discovered one of the pastors' alleged ties to ICE. Protesters appeared to stand at the center of the sanctuary, defiantly disrupting the service.

Pastor Accused of Leading ICE Field Office

At the heart of the firestorm is David Easterwood, listed on the Cities Church website as a pastor. According to court filings and public records, a man by the same name serves as the acting director of ICE's St. Paul field office.

Protesters claim Easterwood is directly responsible for ICE enforcement operations in the Twin Cities — efforts that have come under increasing fire from activists in recent months following a series of high-profile raids.

Among the most emotionally charged cases involved Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot by an ICE agent earlier this month in Minneapolis. Her death, amid a surge in federal immigration actions, has become a rallying cry for protesters.

Federal Civil Rights Probe Launched

On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed it had opened an investigation into the protest. Officials stated they are reviewing whether the disruption violated federal civil rights protections.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division didn't mince words. "The @CivilRights is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers," she posted on X.

Dhillon added, "A house of worship is not a public forum for your protest! It is a space protected from exactly such acts by federal criminal and civil laws!"

ICE Slams Protesters, Warns of Escalating Threats

On January 19, 2026, ICE issued a fiery statement on X condemning the incident, "Agitators aren't just targeting our officers. Now they're targeting churches, too. They're going from hotel to hotel, church to church, hunting for federal law enforcement who are risking their lives to protect Americans."

Just hours later, the White House weighed in. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denounced the protest, writing, "President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship." She confirmed a full federal investigation was underway into what she called a "despicable incident."

In a court filing dated January 5, 2026, Easterwood defended ICE's controversial tactics in Minnesota. He said agents were facing rising threats and noted that crowd control devices were critical for officer safety.

He also insisted that he was unaware of any instance where agents had deliberately targeted peaceful protesters or legal observers using less-lethal munitions.

Churchgoers Shaken by Protest and Don Lemon's Surprise Appearance

Religious leaders swiftly responded. Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester posted a statement on X decrying the region's "violence, fear, political tension, and deep suspicion." He urged federal officials, protesters, and politicians alike to stop "shouting and demonizing one another."

But the protest gained even more attention because former CNN anchor Don Lemon was inside the church during the disruption. Now an independent journalist, Lemon livestreamed the chaos from inside Cities Church. According to TMZ, church member Caleb Phillips believes Lemon and the protesters should face criminal charges.

Phillips said that once police arrived and order was restored, Pastor Parnell addressed the congregation, defending Easterwood's dual role as a longtime law enforcement officer and a church pastor of ten years.

Phillips insisted that the church continues to stand behind Easterwood, and while he remains unsettled by the experience, he believes it could bring more people into the church.

DOJ Investigation Still Ongoing

The Department of Justice confirmed Monday that its investigation is still ongoing. Officials hinted that all participants — including members of the media — could be subject to legal review.

But not everyone is on board with the federal response. Protest leader Nekima Levy Armstrong, who heads the Racial Justice Network, blasted the investigation as a political distraction.

"When you think about the federal government unleashing barbaric ICE agents upon our community and all the harm that they have caused, to have someone serving as a pastor who oversees these ICE agents, is almost unfathomable to me," she said.

Armstrong added, "If you're more upset about a church service being disrupted than about the actions attributed to ICE, then it's time to examine your priorities."

Online, public opinion remains deeply divided, and many can't stop talking about Don Lemon's presence. One person wrote, "This will end Don Lemon's career. Another asked, "I wonder how Don knew to be there…" A third added, "Don Lemon should be stepping up and telling them to stop!"

As the federal probe unfolds, the firestorm surrounding the St. Paul protest has reignited national debate over where the line should be drawn between free speech, immigration enforcement, and the sanctity of religious worship.