Operation Metro Surge: 3,000 Arrests Ignite Fury

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Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is defending activists arrested for storming a church service, calling federal enforcement “a gross abuse of power” while the Department of Justice prosecutes the protesters under laws protecting religious freedom.

Story Snapshot

Federal authorities arrested activists who disrupted a St. Paul church service on January 18, 2026, to protest a pastor’s role as ICE field office director
Mayor Jacob Frey characterized the arrests as “a gross abuse of power,” defending the protesters despite their violation of worship services
DOJ is investigating violations of the FACE Act, which protects access to places of worship, while subpoenaing Gov. Tim Walz and other Minnesota officials
The Trump administration deployed 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota under “Operation Metro Surge,” resulting in 3,000 immigration-related arrests

Church Disruption Sparks Federal Investigation

Activists from the Racial Justice Network and Black Lives Matter Minnesota stormed Cities Church in St. Paul during Sunday worship on January 18, 2026, chanting “Justice for Renee Good” and demanding the resignation of Pastor David Easterwood. The protesters targeted Easterwood because he serves dual roles as a church pastor and acting director of ICE’s St. Paul field office. The disruption followed the January 13 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced arrests would be made within hours of the incident, and federal authorities followed through with multiple apprehensions.

Mayor Frey Defends Unlawful Protest Actions

Mayor Jacob Frey publicly defended the church protesters on CBS’s Face the Nation, framing their actions as peaceful resistance rather than criminal conduct. Frey characterized the federal arrests as “a gross abuse of power,” despite the clear violation of worshippers’ constitutional rights to practice their faith without intimidation. His defense contradicts the fundamental principle that protest rights do not extend to disrupting religious services. The mayor has consistently opposed federal immigration enforcement, signing an executive order in December 2025 banning federal officials from using city property and claiming operations “terrorize” immigrant communities rather than enhance public safety.

Federal Law Protects Religious Freedom

The Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, which explicitly protects access to places of worship from obstruction and intimidation. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon confirmed the investigation proceeds at the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a stern warning that “President Trump will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship.” Cities Church condemned the disruption as “shameful, unlawful” and called on leaders to protect the fundamental right to worship undisturbed. This federal response appropriately defends religious liberty against politically motivated interference.

State Officials Face DOJ Scrutiny

The Department of Justice escalated its investigation beyond the church protest participants to examine whether state and local officials conspired to impede federal immigration officers. The DOJ issued subpoenas on January 21 to Governor Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and other Minnesota officials. The investigation examines whether local leaders violated federal law by obstructing immigration enforcement operations conducted under “Operation Metro Surge,” which deployed 3,000 federal agents and resulted in 3,000 arrests. The Department of Homeland Security accused state and local leaders of “whipping these mobs into a frenzy.” The Trump administration reportedly continues discussing invoking the Insurrection Act in Minnesota as a last resort if local obstruction persists.

Constitutional Conflict Over Federal Authority

This confrontation raises critical questions about the limits of local resistance to federal law enforcement. Minneapolis and St. Paul host large immigrant communities, including Latino and Somali populations, creating political incentives for local officials to oppose immigration enforcement. However, the Constitution grants the federal government exclusive authority over immigration policy and enforcement. Local officials cannot nullify federal law through obstruction, regardless of their policy preferences. The investigation establishes necessary boundaries: legitimate policy disagreement does not justify protecting those who violate religious freedom protections. When protesters stormed a church service, they crossed from lawful demonstration into criminal conduct that threatens core constitutional rights.

Mayor Jacob Frey Calls Arrest of Church Raid Organizer ‘A Gross Abuse of Power’https://t.co/7vV9IVaAIu pic.twitter.com/YoVLuWZvdu

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 22, 2026