Trump's week in review: Davos, Greenland and anti-ICE protests
US Department of Justice arrests Cities Church protesters
The U.S. Department of Justice responded swiftly this week after a mob of left-wing protesters accompanied by former CNN host Don Lemon stormed Cities Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced Thursday that activists Nekima Levy Armstrong and Chauntyll Louisa Allen had been charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994, which prohibits "intentionally injuring, intimidating, or interfering with ... [anyone] seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship."
"Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP," Bondi said.
Homeland Security Investigators and FBI agents arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong who played a key role in orchestrating the Church Riots in St. Paul, Minnesota.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 22, 2026
She is being charged with a federal crime under 18 USC 241.
Religious freedom is the bedrock of the United States -… pic.twitter.com/LHh994fXf3
Later that day, they also announced the arrest of activist William Kelly, who was also present at the Cities Church protest and has reportedly been seen harassing Christians in Washington, D.C.
William Kelly is being charged with conspiracy to deprive rights, a federal crime, and violating the FACE act 18 USC 248 for his involvement in the St. Paul church riots. pic.twitter.com/Pk4HlwiwXT
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 22, 2026
Armstrong and Allen, both of whom reportedly have ties to Black Lives Matter, allegedly helped organize the disruption during the service at Cities Church last Sunday, when they invaded the sanctuary during the Rev. Jonathan Parnell's sermon and screamed anti-ICE slogans in the face of frightened churchgoers.
Lemon interrogated Parnell at his pulpit about the U.S. Constitution as the pastor calmly asked him and the others to leave the church.
NEW: Don Lemon tries lecturing a pastor on the First Amendment after a mob of far leftists stormed a church in Minneapolis.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 18, 2026
Pastor: “This is unacceptable. It's shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship…”
Lemon: “Listen, there's a constitution, the First… pic.twitter.com/joHdCvaXe6
A federal magistrate judge in Minnesota refused to sign a complaint charging Lemon, according to CBS News. Armstrong, Allen and Kelly were released from custody Friday, according to the DOJ.
The Rev. Joe Rigney, a pastor in the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) who helped plant Cities Church, warned during an interview earlier this week that the incident indicated a growing open hostility from the left toward "normal, Bible-believing Evangelicals" in the U.S.
Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com
