{"id":2562269,"date":"2026-02-02T12:21:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bondi-announces-two-more-arrests-from-cities-church-ice-protest\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T12:24:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:24:18","slug":"bondi-announces-two-more-arrests-from-cities-church-ice-protest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/bondi-announces-two-more-arrests-from-cities-church-ice-protest\/","title":{"rendered":"Bondi announces two more arrests from Cities Church ICE protest"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbondi-announces-two-more-arrests-from-cities-church-ice-protest%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2562269&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Attorney General Pam Bondi announced federal arrests of Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson in connection with the coordinated protest at Cities Church in St. Paul targeting an alleged ICE-affiliated pastor. The two men were added to a federal indictment filed last week; Austin, an Army veteran, was arrested Friday and is jailed locally, while Richardson\u2019s custody status and court dates remain unclear. the protest forced congregants under duress though no major injuries were reported, and officials are evaluating whether the events meet the federal legal definition of a riot. At least nine people have been charged so far, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who was arrested in California, released without bail, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/antifa-insurgence-leader-john-sullivan-speaks-out-in-infowars-interview-bidens-victory-is-fishy-massive-support-for-trump-speaks-for-itself-video\/\" title=\"Antifa-Insurgence Leader John Sullivan Speaks Out in Infowars Interview: Biden\u2019s Victory Is \u2018Fishy,\u2019 Massive Support For Trump \u2018Speaks For Itself\u2019 (Video)\">faces federal charges<\/a> of conspiring to disrupt the service and obstructing exits; he is due in Minneapolis court Feb.9. Bondi warned that authorities will pursue those who riot in places of worship, and the arrests come <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >amid increased public anger<\/a> over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-rejects-bills-to-ban-trans-athletes-from-girls-sports\/\" title=\"... rejects bills to ban trans athletes from girls&#039; sports\">recent federal actions<\/a> by immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Bondi announces two more arrests from Cities Church ICE protest<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2482451\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Federal authorities have arrested two more people in connection with the anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/protests\/\">protest<\/a> at Cities Church in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minnesota\/\">Minnesota<\/a>, Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pam-bondi\/\">Pam Bondi<\/a> announced Monday.<\/p>\n<p>Bondi identified the two men as Ian Davis Austin and Jerome Deangelo Richardson, whom she said partook in the &ldquo;coordinated attack&rdquo; on the Baptist church in St. Paul.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4442529\/pam-bondi-installs-ex-white-house-legal-aide-stuart-mccommas-doj-chief-of-staff\/\">Bondi quietly installs ex-White House legal aide Stuart McCommas as DOJ chief of staff<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4441644\/doj-ramps-focus-violent-agitators-minnesota\/\">DOJ ramps up focus on violent agitators in Minnesota as resignations strain fraud cases<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4441397\/how-fulton-countys-election-wars-escalated-into-an-fbi-raid\/\">How Fulton County&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-fulton-countys-election-wars-escalated-into-an-fbi-raid\/\" title=\"How Fulton County\u2019s election wars escalated into an FBI raid\">election wars escalated<\/a> into an FBI raid<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;If you riot in a place of worship, we WILL find you,&rdquo; she <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AGPamBondi\/status\/2018326184468058566\">warned protesters<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n<p>It is unclear if the event has been labeled a riot under federal law, which <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.law.cornell.edu\/uscode\/text\/18\/2102\">defines<\/a> it as an &ldquo;act of violence&rdquo; that constitutes a clear and present danger and results in &ldquo;damage or injury&rdquo; to property or other people, or the &ldquo;threat or threats of the commission&rdquo; of an act of violence.<\/p>\n<p>No major physical injuries were reported, but the churchgoers were placed under duress as protesters shouted and accused Cities Church of harboring an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\">ICE<\/a> officer who they claimed is one of the pastors.<\/p>\n<p>At least nine people, most notably including former CNN anchor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/don-lemon\/\">Don Lemon<\/a>, have been arrested and indicted so far after the church protest last month. Austin and Richardson were included as defendants in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net\/static\/2026\/01\/CASE-026-cr-00025-LMP-DLM.pdf\">federal indictment<\/a> filed Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Austin was arrested on Friday and is being held in a local county jail, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mprnews.org\/story\/2026\/02\/01\/army-veteran-ian-austin-arrested-for-protesting-st-paul-church-service\">according to<\/a> Minnesota Public Radio. A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ud4df9YqOa8\">YouTube video<\/a> showed federal officers escorting the Army veteran into a vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>It remains unclear when Richardson was taken into custody or when either of them will appear in court.<\/p>\n<p>Lemon was <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4440345\/don-lemon-arrested-by-federal-officials-over-minnesota-church-ice-out-protest\/\">arrested in California<\/a> late Thursday and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4441794\/don-lemon-released-from-custody-without-bail-after-court-appearance\/\">released from custody<\/a> without bail the following day. He was indicted on two federal charges for conspiring with protesters to disrupt a church service and obstructing access to the church&rsquo;s exit as congregants tried to leave the chaotic scene.<\/p>\n<p>The now-independent journalist is due to appear in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/minneapolis\/\">Minneapolis<\/a> court on Feb. 9. A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/los-angeles\/\">Los Angeles<\/a> judge permitted him to travel as long as the defendant&rsquo;s plans don&rsquo;t conflict with his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-ends-trump-era-remain-in-mexico-policy\/\" title=\"Biden Ends Trump-Era \u2018Remain in Mexico\u2019 Policy\">scheduled court dates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4442514\/celebrities-blast-ice-at-grammys\/\">CELEBRITIES BLAST TRUMP, ICE, AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS AT GRAMMYS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Lemon appeared at the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/grammys\/\">Grammy Awards<\/a> on Sunday, receiving a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/OliLondonTV\/status\/2017930373334700148\">standing ovation<\/a> from anti-Trump celebrities attending a gala before the music awards show.<\/p>\n<p>Vitriol against immigration enforcement has only grown in the weeks since federal officers killed two American citizens in Minneapolis. Lemon used his public platform to call out the Trump administration for the high-profile deaths, the second of which came days after the church protest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bondi: 2 arrested in Cities Church ICE protest<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2562270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26019847475467.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[4283,71539,55104,49347,45476],"class_list":["post-2562269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-arrests","tag-cities-church","tag-ice-protest","tag-immigration-enforcement","tag-pam-bondi"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26019847475467.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2562269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2562269"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2562269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2562273,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2562269\/revisions\/2562273"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2562270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2562269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2562269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2562269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}