JUST IN: DOJ Announces Several Additional Arrests In MN Church Disruption Case

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Friday that the Department of Justice had unsealed an indictment charging 30 additional individuals for their alleged roles in the January 18 disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“Today, [the Justice Department] unsealed an indictment charging 30 more people who took part in the attack on Cities Church in Minnesota,” Bondi announced in an X post.“At my direction, federal agents have already arrested 25 of them, with more to come throughout the day.”

Bondi added that the DOJ will respond with the same actions to any similar disruptions targeting places of worship.

“YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP,” the attorney general added. “If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith.”

Federal authorities reported that 25 of the newly charged individuals had already been taken into custody as of the announcement, with additional arrests expected later that day. This development increases the total number of people indicted in connection with the incident to 39.

All defendants face federal charges of conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the right of religious freedom.

According to the indictment, the charges allege a conspiracy to oppress, threaten, and intimidate clergy, staff, and congregants through the use of force, threats of force, and physical obstruction, in violation of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and related civil rights statutes. Prosecutors have described the actions as a coordinated effort that intentionally disrupted religious worship.

“Today’s FACE Act arrests with our federal partners show this FBI will never tolerate those who target, attack, or intimidate Americans peacefully exercising their right to worship freely,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.

“To date, 39 individuals have been indicted over their role in the January 18th targeting on Cities Church — with multiple arrests already occurring last month including Don Lemon. Thanks to our FBI Minneapolis team for their tremendous work, as well as great HSI partners and Attorney General Bondi’s DOJ for their relentless pursuit of justice.”

The charges relate to events that occurred on January 18, 2026, during a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul. Protesters entered the building over rumors that one of the church’s pastors was working as the director of the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.

The disruption, organized under the name “Operation Pullup,” was promoted on social media platforms including Instagram and Facebook. Participants reportedly gathered at a nearby shopping center to coordinate before proceeding to the church.

Once inside, the group chanted slogans connected to immigration enforcement policies and referenced a prior incident involving the fatal shooting of Renee Good by federal agents. Some agitators, including a full-time activist identified as William Kelly, racially abused attendees and threatened violence, as evidenced by

The disruption forced the service to end early. Congregants exited the building, an emergency protocol was activated, and some attendees, including children, reported feeling unsafe.

In the initial phase of the investigation, nine individuals were indicted and arrested. Among those previously charged were former CNN host Don Lemon, journalist Georgia Fort, activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, Ian Davis Austin, Jerome Deangelo Richardson, and others.

Several of these defendants entered not guilty pleas to the civil rights charges. The February 27 indictment appears to represent a superseding or expanded charging document that adds 30 more individuals to the case, bringing the total number of defendants to 39.

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