Federal civil rights officials are investigating the disruption of a Sunday church service in St. Paul after anti-ICE agitators stormed a Minnesota congregation, while some left-wing Christian leaders publicly applauded the incident as a form of judgment.
The Department of Justice confirmed that its Civil Rights Division is reviewing whether federal law was violated after protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul during worship. Video from the scene showed demonstrators chanting slogans inside the sanctuary as part of broader anti-ICE protests across the Twin Cities.
Church leaders said the protesters entered as the service began and accused a pastor of being affiliated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In a statement released Tuesday, Cities Church said “agitators jarringly disrupted” worship, accosted congregants, frightened children, and created an atmosphere of intimidation.
“Such conduct is shameful, unlawful, and will not be tolerated,” church officials wrote, adding that invading a worship service is protected by neither Scripture nor the law. The church said it is consulting with legal counsel and urged government leaders to protect the right to worship.
Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, condemned the incident, calling it “absurd” that protesters would disrupt a Sunday service. Ezell also criticized the presence of Don Lemon, who was seen questioning church leadership during the disruption.
“No, they don’t have a right to enter private property and disrupt worship,” Ezell wrote, adding that churches may be forced to provide their own protection if elected officials fail to act.
Louisiana pastor Rodney Kennedy praised the protesters in an opinion piece published by Baptist News Global, describing the disruption as justified and likening it to biblical judgment. Kennedy accused Cities Church and similar congregations of promoting nationalism, nativism, and hostility toward immigrants, and said the demonstration was likely “only round one.”
“Instead of whining about worship being violated, they should ask what led protesters to take such a drastic approach,” Kennedy wrote.
Hours after the incident, Department of Justice officials announced a formal review. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said investigators are examining possible violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, known as the FACE Act.
“The @CivilRights is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshipers,” Dhillon wrote on X, adding that the FBI has also been activated.
