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Protesters face DOJ investigation after disrupting ICE director's church service

Jan 18, 2026·Location: St. Paul, MN

Protesters face DOJ investigation after disrupting ICE director's church service
Photo via trib.al

About three dozen protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul during Sunday service to demonstrate against David Easterwood, a pastor who protesters say also serves as a local ICE field director, chanting slogans referencing Renee Good, a woman killed by an ICE officer on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis. Independent journalist Don Lemon filmed and shared footage of the protest, after which Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department is investigating the protest as a potential violation of the FACE Act, a federal law protecting religious worship from disruption. St. Paul police said they are separately investigating the incident as disorderly conduct, while President Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the protest and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he does not support interrupting a place of worship. As of Jan. 20, USA Today could not confirm Easterwood's alleged role with the ICE St. Paul Field Office, and Cities Church had not responded to requests for comment.

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