Trump Condemns Disruption of Minnesota Church Service by Anti-ICE Protesters

Kathmandu. US President Donald Trump has expressed strong objection to an incident in the state of Minnesota where protesters disrupted a church service while protesting against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He clarified that interference in religious worship will not be tolerated.

On Sunday, while a service was being conducted at Cities Church in St. Paul, protesters entered the church and chanted slogans. In videos shared on social media, protesters can be seen confronting worshippers while chanting slogans such as "Justice for Renee Good" and "ICE Out."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on the social media platform X that President Trump stated the intimidation and harassment of Christians in a sacred place of worship will never be tolerated. She informed that the Department of Justice has already begun a full investigation into the incident.

The incident escalated after claims spread online that a pastor at the church held a senior role within the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. It is reported that protesters targeted the church because of this issue. This demonstration is said to be part of broader protests recently seen in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Tensions between federal agencies and the local community have been rising following the shooting death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good of the area by an agent earlier this month. Responding to the church incident, the US Department of Justice announced it has launched a civil rights investigation. 

Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, informed that an investigation is underway to determine whether federal law was violated regarding the protesters "desecrating a place of worship and interfering with the worship of Christian devotees." In this process, the investigation is being conducted under the federal "Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act," which also ensures the protection of places of worship.

The Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration also strongly criticized the protest. In a statement issued by the department, it was alleged that protesters have now started targeting not only federal security personnel but also churches. The Trump administration also claimed that state and local officials failed to stop the unrest.