NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump's administration launched an investigation after anti-ICE agitators stormed a church in Minneapolis during a service on Sunday.
Dozens of agitators stormed the Church of the Cities sanctuary about halfway through the service, churchgoers told Fox News Digital. The mob broke into the building believing that one of the pastors is the acting director of the ICE field office in St. Paul.
Senior members of the Trump administration promised an investigation after Sunday's riot.
“I just spoke with the Minnesota pastor whose church was attacked. Attacks on law enforcement and intimidation of Christians are met with the full force of federal law,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.
ICE ACTING DIRECTOR DEFENDS AGENCY'S APPROACH ON TARGETING CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, DETAILS THREAT TO AGENTS
Attorney General Pam Bondi launched an investigation into anti-ICE protesters in Minnesota. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“If state leaders refuse to act responsibly to prevent lawlessness, this Department of Justice will remain mobilized to prosecute federal crimes and ensure that the rule of law prevails,” he added.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also condemned the attack in a statement on social media. Footage of the event showed a crowd disrupting the religious service with shouts. Churchgoers told Fox that rioters followed them into the parking lot as they tried to leave the scene, with some vehicles surrounding them and trying to prevent them from leaving.
“President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship,” Leavitt said.
MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR FREY REFUSES TO RETURN 'GET THE F— OUT' MESSAGE TO ICE
Community members confront federal agents after an immigration raid that resulted in arrests and followed the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 13, 2026. (Tim Evans/Reuters)
“The Department of Justice has launched a full investigation into the despicable incident that took place today at a church in Minnesota,” he continued.
Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights, said she and her team are “working hard” investigating the incident.
“We will not rest until we can deliver justice,” Dhillon said in a statement.
MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR SAYS 'UNCONSTITUTIONAL' ICE CONDUCT HAS FACED 'PEACEFUL' PROTESTS
Protesters gather outside the Minnesota State Capitol in response to the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE officer last week, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr). (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Meanwhile, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has has defended anti-ICE protesters, pushing back against federal officials who have described the demonstrations as dangerous or illegal and rejecting claims that state and local leaders are responsible for fueling the unrest.
Appearing on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday, Frey rejected the Trump administration's characterization of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, arguing that the increase in federal agents has made residents feel attacked rather than protected.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“This is not about security. This is about coming into our city by the thousands and terrorizing people simply because they are Latino or Somali,” Frey said. “People in Minneapolis are speaking out. They're speaking peacefully. They're standing up for their neighbors. And it's not just about resisting Trump. It's about loving and caring for the people who call this city home. And it's been inspiring.”
