• A group of protesters disrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, chanting anti-ICE slogans and accusing a church leader of coordinating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest was linked to broader demonstrations following recent contentious ICE operations in Minnesota.
• The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a federal investigation into the incident, saying it might have violated laws protecting the right to worship without interference.
Don Lemon’s role and legal issues
• Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was at the scene and livestreamed the protest on his independent channel. He says he was covering the event as a journalist.
• DOJ civil rights leaders have said Lemon could potentially face legal scrutiny because the protest disrupted a house of worship — and federal laws like the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act can apply to interference with religious services.
Nicki Minaj’s reaction
• Rapper Nicki Minaj posted a fiery message on social media calling Lemon “disgusting” and demanding he be jailed for his role in the incident.
• Minaj’s post included derogatory language targeting Lemon, including language that commentators have identified as a homophobic slur. Lemon has publicly condemned those remarks.
The escalating public feud
• Lemon responded by calling Minaj’s comments “homophobic” and has engaged in a back-and-forth with her on social media, with both figures criticizing the other’s motives and actions.
• This has become a flashpoint in broader debates about immigration enforcement, civil rights, freedom of worship, and media coverage of protests.
Context: Why this is a big deal
• Protests against ICE and U.S. immigration policy have intensified in recent months, especially in Minnesota, after incidents involving ICE agents that sparked public outcry.
• Churches and religious groups are legally protected spaces. Federal laws make it unlawful to intentionally obstruct worship services or intimidate worshippers — an issue the DOJ is now examining in this case.
What’s next?
• The DOJ’s investigation into the church disruption is ongoing, and federal charges could be considered against organizers or participants if authorities determine civil rights laws were violated.
• The public dispute between Lemon and Minaj is continuing on social media, drawing attention from both political commentators and civil rights advocates.