Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Monday that federal authorities have arrested two additional individuals as part of an expanding investigation into a disruptive protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, delivering a blunt warning to activists targeting places of worship.
Bondi identified the newly arrested suspects as Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson, describing the incident as a “coordinated attack” on a religious service. Her message was unmistakable. “If you riot in a place of worship, we WILL find you,” Bondi said, underscoring the administration’s intent to pursue aggressive prosecutions in cases involving interference with religious freedom.
According to the Department of Justice, the group involved in the January 18 disruption conspired to “injure, intimidate, and interfere” with parishioners during a church service. Federal officials say the protest targeted Cities Church because one of its pastors reportedly serves as an official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem echoed Bondi’s stance, stating that there is no First Amendment right to obstruct or shut down religious worship.
The federal investigation has proceeded in two distinct phases. The first wave of action came on January 22, when authorities focused on alleged organizers of the protest. Those named at that stage included civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Louisa Allen. That initial round signaled that prosecutors were looking beyond on-the-ground demonstrators and toward those they believe planned and coordinated the disruption.
The second wave followed a grand jury indictment handed down Friday. That indictment expanded the case to include additional activists and a high-profile media figure, escalating national attention on the investigation.
Among the most notable arrests is former CNN anchor Don Lemon. Lemon has insisted he was present as an independent journalist, but prosecutors allege a different role. An unsealed indictment reported by The Daily Wire claims Lemon attended a so-called “pre-op briefing” designed to maintain operational secrecy before the protest. According to the indictment, Lemon later livestreamed what participants referred to as a “resistance” operation.
Federal prosecutors allege Lemon entered the church with the first wave of agitators, intimidated congregants, and physically obstructed the pastor during the service. The indictment further claims Lemon acknowledged during his livestream that the experience was “traumatic” for worshippers, allegedly stating that “the whole point… is to disrupt.”
All defendants named in the case are facing federal charges under the FACE Act as well as 18 U.S.C. § 241, which addresses conspiracy against rights. As of Monday, the legal process is moving quickly. Lemon, who is represented by attorney Abbe Lowell, is scheduled to make an initial court appearance in Minneapolis on February 9, alongside Georgia Fort, Trahern Jeen Crews, and Jamael Lydell Lundy.
Meanwhile, defendants from the first wave of arrests are challenging the government’s seizure of personal property, arguing that the actions violated their Fourth Amendment rights.
Bondi’s announcement signals that the administration views the Cities Church protest not as a spontaneous demonstration, but as an organized effort to intimidate religious believers. The Justice Department says it will continue pursuing the case, making clear that disruptions of worship services will be treated as serious federal crimes rather than protected activism.
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