Condemning the violent disruption of a religious worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, reaffirming the constitutional right to religious freedom, and commending the Department of Justice for its prompt investigation.

Summary

Condemns a forcible disruption of a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul on January 18, 2026, describing protesters who entered the sanctuary, shouted over clergy, and intimidated worshipers including families and children. Affirms that the First Amendment protects religious exercise, cites the FACE Act (18 U.S.C. § 248) as prohibiting force, threats, or physical obstruction of people exercising religious beliefs, and states that entering a church to disrupt worship is not protected speech while peaceful protest is protected.

• Formally condemns the forcible disruption of a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul on January 18, 2026.
• Describes protester actions including entering the sanctuary, shouting over clergy, obstructing the service, and intimidating worshipers and children.
• Affirms the First Amendment protects religious exercise and cites 18 U.S.C. § 248 (the FACE Act) as prohibiting force or obstruction of religious exercise.
• States that a prominent media figure (Don Lemon) was present and joined the disturbance, and criticizes such participation by public figures.
• Declares that entering a place of worship to disrupt worship is not protected speech, while peaceful protest is protected.
• Urges public condemnation to avoid normalizing intimidation of worshipers.
• Is a declaratory resolution: it expresses findings and opinion but does not create new legal obligations or provide funding.
• Highlights civil and criminal remedies already available under the FACE Act for interference with religious exercise.