President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm by calling for the imprisonment or deportation of anti-ICE protesters who stormed a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota.

On Jan. 20, Trump posted an early-morning message on Truth Social condemning the group that disrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, targeting a pastor they accused of serving as an acting ICE field office director.

The Department of Justice is investigating dozens of protesters for potential federal civil rights violations related to the incident. The Department of Homeland Security also released video footage, accusing local leaders of encouraging such actions, while the protest drew attention with the presence of former CNN anchor Don Lemon.

Church Disruption Sparks National Outrage

Let’s start with the timeline: On Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, a group of demonstrators entered Cities Church during a service, harassing churchgoers and confronting resident pastor David Eastwood, the New York Post reported.

Reports suggest they believed Eastwood’s personal details matched those of David Easterwood, identified in court filings as the acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office. The protesters chanted slogans echoing other recent demonstrations in the Twin Cities, fueled by the tragic Jan. 7 shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent.

Trump didn’t mince words in his reaction on Jan. 20, 2026. “Just watched footage of the Church Raid in Minnesota by the agitators and insurrectionists. These people are professionals!” he declared on Truth Social, framing the group as trained troublemakers rather than spontaneous activists.

Trump Targets Protesters and Politicians

His solution? “They are troublemakers who should be thrown in jail, or thrown out of the Country,” Trump insisted, pushing for harsh penalties. This rhetoric, while bold, raises questions about balancing justice with due process in a heated political climate.

Trump also dragged Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar into the fray, calling them “corrupt politicians” and demanding they be the “first to go.” Such accusations, while attention-grabbing, lack specific evidence in this context—though they play to a narrative of local leaders failing to maintain order. It’s a classic move to rally a frustrated base.

The Department of Homeland Security piled on, releasing video of the protest and claiming officials like Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are “whipping these mobs into a frenzy and then allowing them to run rampant.” That’s a serious charge, implying direct responsibility for public unrest. But without concrete proof of incitement, it risks sounding more like political theater than policy critique.

Immigration Tensions Fuel Protest Actions

Context matters here: Immigration enforcement has long been a flashpoint, especially in Minnesota, where the Jan. 7 incident involving Renee Nicole Good—a mother of three—has intensified public anger. Protesters reportedly moved “from hotel to hotel, church to church,” seeking federal law enforcement targets, according to DHS. This pattern suggests a coordinated effort, but it’s unclear how much is strategy versus raw frustration.

DOJ Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon took a firm stance on the church disruption, emphasizing the legal protections for houses of worship. Her agency is probing potential civil rights violations tied to interfering with worshippers. It’s a reminder that even passionate causes must respect certain boundaries.

The presence of Don Lemon among the protesters adds another layer of intrigue. Once a mainstream media figure, his involvement signals how far this issue resonates beyond local politics. But does it amplify the message or distract from the core grievance?

Balancing Free Speech and Sacred Spaces

Critics of the protesters argue that a church isn’t a public square for airing grievances, no matter how justified the cause seems. DOJ’s focus on “desecrating a house of worship” underscores a broader concern: If sacred spaces aren’t safe, what is? This incident could set a troubling precedent if left unchecked.

On the flip side, supporters of the protest might claim it’s a desperate act against perceived injustices in immigration policy. Yet, targeting a pastor—whose dual role remains unconfirmed beyond reports—feels more like intimidation than dialogue. It’s hard to see this as advancing any constructive solution.

Ultimately, this clash reveals the deep divide over how far protest can go before it infringes on others’ rights. Trump’s call for jail time and deportation, while resonating with those fed up with disorder, sidesteps the nuance of addressing root causes like immigration policy disputes.

The nation watches as the DOJ investigates, and DHS points fingers at local leaders. Will this lead to accountability, or just more polarized shouting matches? One thing is clear: Minnesota’s church raid is a microcosm of a much larger struggle over law, order, and moral boundaries.