DOJ arrests Nekima Levy Armstrong, suspect in Minnesota church storming
The Justice Department arrested activist Nekima Levy Armstrong in connection with the weekend storming of a service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, attorney General Pam Bondi announced.Bondi said FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents executed the arrest and described Armstrong as a “key” organizer of the coordinated attack. No formal charges were specified in the announcement, though Justice Department officials have signaled the use of the Freedom of Access to clinic Entrances (FACE) Act could be considered for unlawful interference with religious worship. Armstrong leads the progressive Racial Justice Network and the incident is tied to heightened tensions over recent immigration enforcement operations in the Minneapolis-st. Paul area; protesters targeted the church after alleging a pastor had worked for ICE. Bondi emphasized that attacks on places of worship will not be tolerated.
DOJ arrests Nekima Levy Armstrong, suspect in Minnesota church storming
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Thursday morning that the Justice Department arrested a “key” suspect involved in the storming of a Minnesota church service over the weekend by anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protesters.
The DOJ previously teased federal charges against the people who disrupted Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, earlier this week. Bondi said in a post on X that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security arrested a person on Thursday morning in connection with the incident.
Minutes ago at my direction, @HSI_HQ and @FBI agents executed an arrest in Minnesota.
So far, we have arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
We will share more updates as they…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 22, 2026
“So far, we have arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong, who allegedly played a key role in organizing the coordinated attack on Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. We will share more updates as they become available,” Bondi said.
“Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” she added.
Bondi did not say what charges Armstrong, a left-wing activist who leads the progressive Racial Justice Network, is facing.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon previously hinted at charging those involved in the storming under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which makes it unlawful “to injure, intimidate, or interfere” by using “force, threat of force, or physical obstruction” against anyone who is “exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship.”
WHAT IS THE FACE ACT? FEDERAL CHARGES FOR MINNESOTA CHURCH PROTEST COULD COME BY SUNDAY
The FACE Act was commonly used by the Biden administration against anti-abortion protesters outside abortion clinics, but the law also protects religious services from unlawful interference.
The Trump administration’s increased immigration operations in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas in recent weeks have led to heightened tensions between immigration officers, anti-ICE protesters, Democratic state officials, and the administration. Anti-ICE protesters said one of the pastors at the church they targeted worked for ICE.
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