Minneapolis: The Trump administration has issued a fresh warning to anti-ICE protestors after videos circulated online showing demonstrators entering Cities Church in the St Paul-Minneapolis area. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department is reviewing the incident and warned that any violations of federal law would be prosecuted.
Bondi said that she is "in constant communication" with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who said the Civil Rights Division is reviewing potential violations of the federal FACE Act. Dhillon said investigators are examining whether protestors interfered with Christian worship or desecrated a house of worship.
The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act of 1994 prohibits the use of force, threats, obstruction, or property damage to interfere with religious worship or access to places of worship. Violations are federal crimes and can carry penalties including fines and prison sentences of up to 10 years.
Protests are intensifying in Minneapolis after an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Nicole Good. Federal officials said the officer acted in self-defense, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed that account, citing video footage.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department is examining whether Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey interfered with federal immigration enforcement during an aggressive ICE operation that has sparked protests and political backlash, according to the AP news agency.
