Trump administration charges 30 more people for Minnesota church protest | Donald Trump News
Federal Indictments Expand in Minnesota Church Protest Case
The administration of President Donald Trump has expanded its prosecution of demonstrators involved in a protest at a Minnesota church, increasing the total number of indicted individuals to 39 from an initial nine. The protest, which occurred on January 18 at Cities Church in St. Paul, was part of a backlash against the administration’s immigration policies, although officials have framed it as an assault on religious freedom.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the broader indictment on Friday through a social media message, where she stated, “Today, [the Justice Department] unsealed an indictment charging 30 more people who took part in the attack. At my direction, federal agents have already arrested 25 of them, with more to come throughout the day.”
Bondi issued a stern warning to individuals seeking to disrupt religious services: “If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice stands for Christians and all Americans of faith.”
Since his second term began, Trump has sought to engage Christian conservative voters by promoting initiatives aimed at combating anti-Christian bias and perceived acts of persecution domestically and abroad. Critics argue that these prosecutions in Minnesota constitute an attempt to suppress opposition.
Among those indicted are former CNN anchor Don Lemon and journalist Georgia Fort, both of whom assert they attended the protest in a journalistic capacity. They have pleaded not guilty and raised concerns that the prosecution infringes upon press freedom.
The updated indictment, filed on Thursday, brings two charges against the 39 defendants, including conspiracy against the right to religious freedom and attempts to intimidate congregants. The indictment claims that during the protest, participants occupied the main aisle of the church and engaged in threatening behavior by chanting loudly and obstructing exits.
A magistrate judge had initially rejected the Justice Department’s effort to charge nine protest attendees. However, a subsequent grand jury indictment was filed on January 29 and made public the following day.
The demonstration, termed “Operation Pullup,” was organized in response to an aggressive immigration crackdown in Minnesota, particularly affecting the Twin Cities area of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Trump has previously blamed the local Somali American population for various welfare fraud issues, a claim that has sparked outrage.
In December, the Trump administration deployed additional federal immigration agents to Minnesota, part of a campaign known as Operation Metro Surge. At its peak, around 3,000 agents were deployed, but the operation faced criticism over reports of excessive force against detainees and demonstrators alike. Notable incidents included agents breaking car windows of legal observers and using pepper spray on protesters.
The protests intensified following the shooting death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman, by an ICE agent on January 7. Her death galvanized public outrage and protests, culminating in the demonstration at Cities Church less than two weeks later, primarily directed at Pastor David Easterwood, a local ICE official.
Several defendants are prepared to contest the charges, citing their First Amendment rights to free speech, and have vowed to remain vigilant against government immigration operations. Advocacy for continued activism persists even after announcements that Operation Metro Surge would wind down in mid-February. Civil rights lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong encapsulated the sentiment on social media, stating, “It’s time for truth, justice, and freedom to prevail.”
