U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a press conference following the arrest in the D.C. pipe bomber investigation, at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 4, 2025. REUTERS/Jessica Koscielniak/File Photo
Minneapolis, Minnesota) – A woman who led a protest that shut down a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been arrested, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday.
Bondi said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney and prominent local activist, was taken into custody days after demonstrators interrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church. Protesters entered the sanctuary chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” forcing worshippers to leave mid-service.
The protest targeted a church pastor who also works as a local official with ICE, a dual role activists claim creates a moral conflict. Armstrong has publicly called for the pastor to resign, arguing that immigration enforcement and spiritual leadership cannot coexist.
Following the disruption, the Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into the incident. In a post on X announcing the arrest, Bondi issued a warning: “Listen loud and clear – we do not tolerate attacks on places of worship.”
The protest came amid heightened tensions in Minnesota after Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot by an ICE officer earlier this month in Minneapolis. That incident has fueled demonstrations across the state and intensified scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement.
Federal authorities have not yet released details on the charges Armstrong may face. The case has drawn national attention as officials weigh the limits of protest, religious freedom, and political expression inside houses of worship.
Second Activist Arrested
A second activist has been arrested Thursday afternoon. A St. Paul School Board member, Chauntyll Allen has been arrested in connection to the Minnesota church storming by DHS. People across social media like X are calling for both to be given harsh sentences. Many are questioning when Don Lemon will be arrested as well.
Third Activist Arrested
A third Activist, William Kelly has been arrested after recording a video of himself admitting to going into the church and causing havoc. In his TikTok, which he chose to record and post and went viral, he said “I was wearing a F*** Trump shirt and a F*** Trump hat. They knew what I was there for.”
Pam Bondi has commented on taking Kelly into custody, “William Kelly is now in custody.” Bondi also explained the reasoning for why this arrest is so important “Religious freedom is the bedrock of this country. We will protect our pastors. We will protect our churches. We will protect Americans of faith.”
Don Lemon’s Presence Sparks Controversy
The protest has also drawn attention because Don Lemon was inside the church during the disruption. Lemon was seen recording and engaging with protesters and congregants as demonstrators moved through the sanctuary, a detail that has fueled backlash online and in conservative political circles.
Critics argue Lemon’s presence went beyond passive reporting, claiming he helped amplify the disruption by moving with protesters inside the church. Some commentators have accused him of effectively “running cover” for the demonstrators and have called for authorities to examine whether his actions crossed legal lines. No charges have been filed against Lemon, and no law enforcement agency has publicly indicated he is under investigation.
Lemon has not been accused by officials of organizing or leading the protest and has characterized his actions as journalistic coverage of a breaking event. Federal authorities have not commented on whether media figures present during the incident could face legal scrutiny.
There has been an update to Don Lemon’s status after this article has been published.
