Religious Worship Targeted!

A recent invasion of a Minnesota church by a leftist mob poses a direct threat to religious freedom, sparking national outrage.

Story Snapshot

Anti-ICE protesters stormed Cities Church in Minnesota during a service.
Protesters targeted the church over alleged ICE ties of a church elder.
DOJ and FBI are investigating potential violations of the FACE Act.
Conservative leaders condemn the invasion as religious persecution.

Protesters Disrupt Worship in Minnesota Church

On January 18, 2026, approximately three dozen protesters disrupted a Sunday morning service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. They chanted “Justice for Renee Good,” in reference to a protester who died during an ICE operation earlier this month. The disruption caused fear among congregants, especially children, and led to the premature end of the service. The protest was reportedly aimed at an elder of the church who is alleged to have ties with ICE operations in the Twin Cities.

The incident has been described as a direct invasion of a private worship space, an act that conservative voices have labeled as a “desecration” of religious freedom. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced a federal investigation into potential violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which protects places of worship from disruption. This rare scrutiny could set a precedent for how such invasions are handled in the future.

Federal Response and Community Reactions

Following the church invasion, the DOJ and the FBI have launched a probe into the incident to determine if there were any violations of the FACE Act. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon have both confirmed their involvement in the investigation. Meanwhile, church leaders have condemned the actions of the protesters, issuing statements that emphasize the unlawful nature of the invasion and the intimidation experienced by the worshippers.

Southern Baptist leaders, including Kevin Ezell and Al Mohler, have offered their support to Cities Church, with the North American Mission Board considering funding for enhanced security measures. This incident has heightened concerns among conservative Christians about the erosion of religious freedoms and has further intensified the political divide over immigration policies and enforcement.

Implications for Religious and Immigration Policies

The recent invasion of Cities Church in Minnesota not only underscores the tension surrounding immigration enforcement but also highlights the ongoing debate over the protection of religious freedoms in America. It has drawn attention to the FACE Act, originally enacted in 1994 to protect access to reproductive health services, now being applied to defend worship spaces from disruption.

While the investigation is ongoing, the incident has already sparked a national conversation about the balance between protest rights and religious freedom. President Trump’s administration has made it clear that such acts of intimidation will not be tolerated, emphasizing the importance of law and order in preserving the nation’s core values. This event may influence future policies concerning both immigration enforcement and the protection of religious institutions across the United States.