The Department of Justice announced the unsealing of an indictment charging approximately 30 more individuals for their alleged roles in storming Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, in January, bringing the total number of defendants in the case to 39. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X that federal agents had already taken 25 of the newly charged individuals into custody, with additional arrests anticipated throughout the day.

The charges stem from an incident in which anti-ICE protesters forced their way into Cities Church after learning that one of the church's pastors also worked for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the case now involves 39 defendants — including former CNN host Don Lemon — all accused of violating two federal civil rights laws.

The incident at Cities Church was captured on a live YouTube video recorded by Lemon, who said he was "not part of the group" and was present as a journalist, photographing." Lemon was among the original nine defendants charged in January with federal civil rights crimes, according to CBS News. All nine of those original defendants have entered not guilty pleas.

Attorney General Issues Stern Warning to Offenders

"Today, @thejusticedept unsealed an indictment charging 30 more people who took part in the attack on Cities Church in Minnesota," Bondi wrote on X.

"At my direction, federal agents have already arrested 25 of them, with more to come throughout the day," she continued.

Bondi also issued a pointed warning: "YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you."

Federal Laws at the Center of the Case

The issue has drawn significant scrutiny from legal analysts and political commentators, particularly regarding the specific federal statutes being applied. According to reporting by Breitbart News's Katherine Hamilton, the DOJ said it was examining "potential violations" of both the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and the statute commonly known as the "KKK Act."

The FACE Act, enacted in 1994, prohibits the use or threat of force and physical obstruction that injures, intimidates, or interferes with individuals seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services or to exercise First Amendment religious freedom at a place of worship. The law was written to equally protect abortion clinics, pro-life pregnancy resource centers, and churches.

However, data indicate that 97 percent of FACE Act prosecutions since the law was enacted have targeted pro-life advocates — a disparity that has long frustrated conservative legal observers. The current application of the statute to protect a church represents a notable shift in how the law is being enforced under the current administration.

Civil Rights Division Weighs Broader Legal Strategy

In an appearance on The Benny Show, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon discussed the range of legal tools available to prosecutors. Dhillon noted that "the Biden DOJ" had previously used Klan Act conspiracy charges alongside FACE Act cases involving protests outside abortion clinics to pursue significantly longer sentences against defendants.

Dhillon also raised several investigative questions surrounding the January incident, including who may have funded the event, whether additional crimes occurred during the storming, and whether electronic communications or mail were used in planning. These questions suggest the investigation could expand further in the coming weeks and months.

According to CBS News, the indictment accuses all 39 defendants of violating two civil rights laws, with no additional criminal charges added beyond those two statutes at this time. The scope of the prosecution, however, remains a developing matter.

Lessons to Learn

1. Houses of worship should have security protocols and emergency plans in place. While no congregation should have to prepare for a forced intrusion, having procedures for lockdowns, communication with law enforcement, and protecting congregants can be lifesaving measures during an unexpected incident.

2. Individuals who attend protests or large gatherings should understand the legal boundaries of their actions. Entering a private building without authorization, regardless of political motivation, can carry severe federal consequences — particularly when civil rights statutes are involved.

3. Bystanders and journalists covering volatile situations should take precautions to clearly distinguish themselves from participants, as proximity to criminal activity can result in legal exposure. It is critical to remember, however, that crime can happen to anyone regardless of preparation, and victims should never be blamed for the actions of those who harm them.

Why This Story Matters

This case carries significant implications for religious liberty, free expression, and the enforcement of federal civil rights laws across the country. The prosecution sends a clear message that places of worship are protected under federal law and that those who use force or intimidation against congregants will face serious legal consequences. The broader investigation also raises important questions about the consistency of FACE Act enforcement and whether the law will now be applied as evenly as its authors originally intended.

In summary, the DOJ has now charged a total of 39 individuals in connection with the January storming of Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, after protesters targeted the church upon learning one of its pastors worked for ICE. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the unsealing of a new indictment covering roughly 30 additional defendants, 25 of whom had already been arrested, while the original nine — including former CNN host Don Lemon — have all pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors are pursuing charges under both the FACE Act and the KKK Act, and investigators continue to explore whether additional crimes or organized funding were involved in the incident.