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New footage released by Fox News shows anti-ICE agitators crashing a Sunday service at Cities Church in Minnesota, shouting through worship and even labeling the sanctuary a “house of the devil” as they bullied parishioners. The raw video captures a faith community suddenly forced to choose safety over prayer while militants screamed political slogans into the pews.
The lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, rightly called the intrusion “shameful” and begged for calm as stunned families — including children — were shouted down just for trying to worship. Parishioners reported the service was prematurely ended and church leaders described the event as a traumatic violation of a sacred space. These are not peaceful protesters exercising rights; this is intimidation directed at worshippers.
Shockingly, former network anchor Don Lemon was filmed following the crowd into the church and conducting on-the-spot interviews, defending his presence as “journalism” while the mob shouted and disrupted. Organizers behind the stunt have even given their effort a name — “Operation Pull Up” — a rehearsed campaign of disruption that targeted places of worship and neighborhoods where federal officers operate. The national media circus showing up hand-in-glove with agitators only encourages more lawlessness.
The Department of Justice has reportedly opened a civil-rights inquiry into potential violations of the FACE Act after officials described the actions as desecrating a house of worship and interfering with religious exercise. Federal attention is warranted — when mobs begin to treat churches like public squares for harassment, the rule of law must intervene to protect the First Amendment rights of worshippers. Washington insiders and church leaders alike are warning this cannot stand.
This ugly scene didn’t happen in a vacuum: protests escalated after the January 7 shooting of Renee Good during an ICE operation, and some activists have publicly accused a Cities Church pastor of being connected to local ICE operations. ICE itself warned that agitators are now “going from hotel to hotel, church to church,” and accused state and city leaders of stoking chaos by refusing to enforce order. If local officials continue to wink at mobs while their citizens cower in pews, expect more sanctuaries to be invaded.
Americans of faith and common sense should be furious — not silent — in the face of political mobs that trample on churches and terrorize families. Governors, mayors, and church boards must act now to secure worship spaces and hold perpetrators accountable so our communities can worship without fear. Stand with the brave men and women who serve and protect our country and defend the sacred, because liberty and decency depend on it.
