30 More Charged in Minnesota Church Protest Incident

Federal agents have already arrested 25 of the accused, with more arrests expected, DOJ says.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice has charged 30 additional people in connection with an incident last month in which anti-ICE protesters disrupted a service at a Minnesota church. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents have already arrested 25 of the accused, with more arrests expected throughout the day.

Why it matters

The incident at Cities Church in St. Paul sparked outrage over the alleged disruption of a house of worship, with the DOJ vowing to find and prosecute those involved. The case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and activist groups, as well as the government's stance on protecting religious institutions from disturbances.

The details

On January 18, protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul, saying one of the pastors is the acting field director of the St. Paul ICE field office. Protesters were heard chanting 'Justice for Renee Good' inside the church, referencing a woman fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis earlier that month. The DOJ had previously charged nine others, including former CNN journalist Don Lemon, for their alleged roles in the incident.

  • The incident occurred on January 18, 2026.
  • The DOJ announced the 30 new charges on February 28, 2026.

The players

Pam Bondi

The Attorney General who announced the new charges and arrests.

Don Lemon

A former CNN journalist who was previously charged for his alleged role in the incident.

Renee Good

A woman fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis in early January 2026, whose death was referenced by protesters at the church.

Cities Church

The church in St. Paul, Minnesota where the incident occurred.

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What they’re saying

“YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you.”

— Pam Bondi, Attorney General (X)

What’s next

The judge will decide on bail for the 25 arrested suspects in the coming days.

The takeaway

This case underscores the government's firm stance against disrupting religious institutions, even in the context of broader tensions over immigration enforcement. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and what impact this incident may have on future protests targeting places of worship.