DOJ Launches Probe After Don Lemon Joins Anti-ICE Activists in Storming Minnesota Church
The Department of Justice has opened an investigation into a Sunday protest that saw anti-ICE activists and former CNN anchor Don Lemon invade a Christian church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during worship services, disrupting the congregation and prompting accusations of federal law violations.
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.
Tim Walz and Jacob Frey are responsible for whipping… https://t.co/O3WQ6Iftfe
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 18, 2026
According to federal officials, the protest — dubbed “Operation Pullup” — was organized by the Racial Justice Network and Black Lives Matter Minnesota, and led by activist and self-described reverend Nekima Levy-Armstrong. The activists targeted Cities Church due to claims that one of its pastors is affiliated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest halted the service and forced congregants to vacate the premises.
Don Lemon, now a YouTube personality after his departure from CNN, embedded with the protesters, filmed the disruption, and defended their actions during the live broadcast, repeatedly invoking the First Amendment and comparing the protest to the civil rights movement.
DOJ: Protest May Violate Federal Law
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who oversees the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, announced Sunday night that the Department is reviewing the incident under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act — a statute that prohibits obstructing or interfering with people attempting to exercise religious freedom at places of worship.
“The [Civil Rights Division] is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers,” Dhillon posted to X. She went further, indicating Lemon himself could be a subject of the probe: “You are on notice!”
The FACE Act, often associated with protecting access to abortion clinics, also applies to churches and religious worship, making the disruption of a Sunday service a possible federal offense.
Activists Justify Protest as ‘Righteous’ Disruption
Levy-Armstrong told Lemon during the stream that the goal was to “disrupt business as usual.” She led chants including “Justice for Renee Good” and “ICE out of Minnesota,” referring to the recent shooting of activist Renee Good, who was killed after driving her car at a federal immigration agent.
“They cannot pretend to be a house of God while harboring someone who is directing ICE agents to wreak havoc upon our community,” Levy-Armstrong said.
During the protest, Lemon repeatedly defended the demonstration as protected speech.
“This is the beginning of what’s going to happen here,” Lemon said. “You have to be willing to go into places and disrupt and make people uncomfortable. That is what this country is about.”
Lemon acknowledged that the protest was emotionally distressing for some in attendance, even pointing out a young man in the church who was “scared” and “crying,” but maintained that such discomfort was part of what protest is supposed to provoke.
Pastor Confronts Lemon Over Church Invasion
Lead pastor Jonathan Parnell, who was not the ICE-linked pastor referenced by protesters, briefly confronted Lemon during the live broadcast.
“It’s shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship,” Parnell said.
Lemon responded by asserting the protest was constitutionally protected. “We have the right to protest. The Constitution does not say when or where,” he argued.
Parnell countered that the protesters’ actions crossed the line into religious interference.
“We are here to worship Jesus because that is the hope of these cities, that’s the hope of the world is Jesus Christ,” Parnell said before walking away from the interview.
White House Responds
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the incident, stating: “The idea that ICE enforcement justifies storming a church during worship is not only un-American — it’s dangerous.”
President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship.
The Department of Justice has launched a full investigation into the despicable incident that took place earlier today at a church in Minnesota.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 19, 2026
The Department of Justice has not yet confirmed whether charges will be filed, but Dhillon said the incident “squarely falls under federal civil rights protections for religious Americans.”