DOJ Investigates Protest Disruption at St. Paul Church Over Alleged ICE Ties

Federal officials review possible civil-rights violations after anti-ICE protesters interrupted a church service linked to an alleged ICE official.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 19, 2026|St. Paul, Minnesota

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sunday that it is investigating a group of anti-ICE protesters who disrupted a church service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, prompting the service to end prematurely.

According to the DOJ, protesters entered the church sanctuary during the service, chanting and interrupting worship activities. Church officials halted the service amid the disturbance, citing safety concerns.

Protesters said their actions were motivated by allegations that a pastor affiliated with the church, David Easterwood, serves as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s St. Paul field office. Demonstrators linked their protest to broader criticism of ICE enforcement practices, referencing the death of Renee Nicole Good and ongoing litigation involving the American Civil Liberties Union.

Video footage circulating online, including a Facebook livestream posted by Black Lives Matter Minnesota and clips shared by national media outlets, appears to show approximately 30 to 40 protesters entering the church before exiting. St. Paul police confirmed the estimated number of individuals involved.

DOJ civil rights officials stated they are reviewing video evidence to assess whether the incident may constitute a violation of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act or other applicable federal laws. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the department would pursue prosecution if any federal statutes were violated.

The incident comes amid heightened national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced the mobilization of the National Guard on Saturday, while the Pentagon placed roughly 1,500 troops on standby. The president also warned last week that the Insurrection Act of 1807 could be invoked if unrest escalates.

The DOJ investigation remains ongoing, and no charges have been announced at this time.

Sources
U.S. Department of Justice
St. Paul Police Department
Black Lives Matter Minnesota livestream footage
Publicly available video recordings