“If you go and storm a church, if you go and assault a federal law enforcement officer, we’re going to try very hard. We’re going to use every resource of the federal government to put you in prison.”
Vice President JD Vance gave a clear warning Thursday as the Trump administration moved to arrest multiple anti-ICE, far left activists who stormed a Christian church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Vance said anyone who assaults federal officers or disrupts worship will face the full force of the federal government.
“Right now we’re focused on Minneapolis because that’s where we have the highest concentration of people who have violated our immigration laws,” Vance said. “And that’s also, frankly, where we see the most assault of our law enforcement officers.”
“Our plan is very simple. If you assault a federal law enforcement officer, we’re going to do everything that we can to put you in prison. It’s very simple," the vice president said.
Vance added that while some protesters have been peaceful, others crossed clear legal lines. “If you go and storm a church, if you go and assault a federal law enforcement officer, we’re going to try very hard. We’re going to use every resource of the federal government to put you in prison.”
Vance emphasized that religious freedom and public safety are non-negotiable. “Respect people’s rights, respect people’s rights to worship, respect people’s rights to do their job without being assaulted,” he said. “If you follow that basic principle, the Trump administration is going to do everything that we can to protect your rights.”
“But if you go after somebody, if you assault somebody, if you make a nine-year-old girl cry because you walked into a church and harassed her,” Vance continued, “we’re going to go after you with every single tool that we have.”
The comments came hours after Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of anti-ICE organizer Nekima Levy Armstrong, whom she said played “a key role in organizing the coordinated attack” on Cities Church in St. Paul. “Listen loud and clear: WE DO NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON PLACES OF WORSHIP,” Bondi said.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed Armstrong was arrested on a violation of the FACE Act. Also taken into custody was Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a member of the St. Paul School Board since 2020.
Armstrong previously described the action as “Operation Pull Up,” calling it “more of a clandestine operation” meant to “disrupt business as usual.” She later claimed the group did not rush the church, a claim disputed by congregants and video footage.
In another arrest announced later Thursday, Patel said activist William Kelly was taken into custody in connection with the incident. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Kelly faces charges of conspiracy to deprive rights and violating the FACE Act.
Agitators surrounded the congregation, shouted obscenities, and frightened children during the service, video shows.
Federal officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests are likely.
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