Pam Bondi announces 25 more arrests in anti-ICE | Political News

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Friday that the Department of Justice has charged an extra 30 people who took half in what she described as an “attack” on Cities Church in Minneapolis and that 25 of those people have so far been arrested.

Bondi hinted at more arrests to come throughout the day in a assertion posted to X as she slammed the protesters who demonstrated outdoors the church last month, where a pastor was revealed to also be an ICE agent.

“Today, @thejusticedept unsealed an indictment charging 30 more people who took part in the attack on Cities Church in Minnesota,” Bondi wrote. “At my direction, federal agents have already arrested 25 of them, with more to come throughout the day.”

“YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP,” she raged. “If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith.”

FBI Director Kash Patel launched a assertion of his own concerning the arrests, telling Fox News Digital, “Today’s FACE Act arrests with our federal partners show this FBI will never tolerate those who target, attack, or intimidate Americans peacefully exercising their right to worship freely.”

“To date, 39 individuals have been indicted over their role in the January 18th targeting on Cities Church — with multiple arrests already occurring last month including Don Lemon,” he continued.

“Thanks to our FBI Minneapolis team for their tremendous work, as well as great HSI partners and Attorney General Bondi’s DOJ for their relentless pursuit of justice.”

Protesters interrupted a service at the Southern Baptist church last month, chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” referring to the 37-year-old mom of three who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.

In complete, 30 people have been charged under the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act in relation to the church protest. The FACE Act prohibits interference or intimidation of “any person by force, threat of force, or physical obstruction exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship.”

Two more defendants accused in the protest are scheduled for arraignment next week, including another unbiased journalist, Georgia Fort.

Penalties can vary up to a 12 months in prison and up to a $10,000 wonderful.

Among those arrested is unbiased journalist and former GWN host Don Lemon, who insists he was at Cities Church in St. Paul to chronicle the Jan. 18 protest, but he wasn’t a participant. The veteran journalist vowed to combat what he called “baseless charges” that had been introduced against him and to shield his rights to free speech.

“For more than 30 years, I’ve been a journalist, and the power and protection of the First Amendment has been the underpinning of my work,” Lemon said outdoors the courthouse after his arraignment.

“The First Amendment, the freedom of the press, are the bedrock of our democracy,” he continued. “And like all of you here in Minnesota, the great people of Minnesota, I will not be intimidated, I will not back down.”

Several dozen supporters gathered outdoors the courthouse during the Friday arraignment, chanting slogans like “Pam Bondi has got to go” and “Protect the press.”