By Harshit
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, JANUARY 19, 2026 —
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into a group of protesters who disrupted Sunday church services in St. Paul, Minnesota, escalating an already volatile confrontation between federal authorities and local activists angered by recent immigration enforcement actions.
The inquiry follows a protest inside Cities Church, where demonstrators interrupted worship by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” according to a livestream shared by Black Lives Matter Minnesota.
The protest was linked to the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who was fatally shot earlier this month by an agent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis.
Allegations Against ICE-Linked Pastor
Protesters allege that one of Cities Church’s pastors, David Easterwood, also serves as the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office, which oversees federal immigration operations across Minnesota.
Public records and court filings identify Easterwood as a senior ICE official, while the church’s website lists him as a pastor. His personal details match those of the ICE official who has publicly defended recent federal tactics in the state.
Easterwood appeared alongside Kristi Noem at a Minneapolis press conference in October. It remains unclear whether he was present during Sunday’s church service.
Cities Church did not respond to requests for comment, and Easterwood could not be reached.
DOJ Cites Possible Civil Rights Violations
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the Justice Department is reviewing potential federal civil rights violations related to the protest.
She accused demonstrators of “desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers,” emphasizing that churches are protected spaces under federal law.
“A house of worship is not a public forum for protest,” Dhillon said in a public statement, adding that such conduct may violate criminal and civil statutes.
Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed the warning, stating that any proven violations of federal law would be prosecuted.
Activists Reject Federal Narrative
Civil rights attorney and organizer Nekima Levy Armstrong, who participated in the protest and leads the Racial Justice Network, dismissed the DOJ’s investigation as politically motivated.
She argued that the focus on church disruption ignores what she described as aggressive and unlawful ICE conduct in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
“When the federal government unleashes violent immigration raids on our community, and the person overseeing those actions also serves as a church leader, people have a moral obligation to speak out,” Armstrong said. She added that she is an ordained minister.
BLM Minnesota co-founder Monique Cullars-Doty also criticized the investigation, calling it a misdirection.
“If a church leader is orchestrating ICE raids that terrorize families, silence is not an option,” she said.
ICE Defends Its Operations
In a January 5 court filing, Easterwood defended federal tactics used during immigration operations, including the use of chemical irritants, flash-bang grenades, and undercover vehicle tactics.
He wrote that ICE agents were facing increasing threats and aggression, and that crowd-control devices were necessary for officer safety. He stated that he was not aware of agents intentionally targeting peaceful protesters or legal observers.
ICE released a statement accusing activists of escalating their tactics.
“Agitators aren’t just targeting our officers. Now they’re targeting churches,” the agency said. “Federal law enforcement officers are being hunted while carrying out their duty to protect Americans.”
Protests Continue Across Minnesota
The church disruption is the latest flashpoint in weeks of protests following Good’s death. Demonstrations have targeted federal buildings, hotels believed to house ICE agents, and now religious institutions linked to immigration leadership.
Minnesota officials have warned that tensions remain high as federal immigration enforcement continues across the state.