Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Feb 28: The U.S. Justice Department on Friday charged 30 additional people in connection with last month’s disruption of a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, expanding a high-profile case that already included former CNN anchor Don Lemon.

All 39 defendants now face charges of conspiracy against the right of religious worship and obstructing access to houses of worship. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media, “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,” adding that 25 of the newly charged individuals had already been arrested.

The protest on January 18 at Cities Church coincided with a Trump administration immigration enforcement operation and drew national attention after federal agents killed two U.S. citizens. Demonstrators reportedly targeted the church believing a senior pastor was an ICE official. Video footage showed protesters shouting anti-ICE slogans, interrupting the service, and confronting congregants.

Lemon and other defendants, who livestreamed the demonstration, have pleaded not guilty, claiming the charges infringe on First Amendment rights and that they are being targeted for opposing the administration’s immigration policies. Federal prosecutors described the incident as a “coordinated takeover-style attack” on the house of worship, prompting the Justice Department to pursue aggressive legal action despite initial judicial hesitations.