• The U.S. Justice Department charges 30 more individuals involved in a Minnesota anti-ICE church protest.
• Those charged include high-profile figures like former CNN anchor Don Lemon, all of whom plead not guilty.
• Protesters are accused of disrupting a church service and violating religious rights.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi warns that attacking places of worship will lead to legal consequences.
• The protest was a reaction to immigration enforcement actions and sparked widespread political debate.

The U.S. Justice Department announced the indictment of 30 additional individuals connected to an anti-ICE protest that took place at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18. This expansion brings the total number of defendants to 39, including former CNN anchor Don Lemon, with many already arrested as federal agents continue their operations, according to Reuters and India Times.

Attorney General Pam Bondi declared that the disruptions constituted an "attack on a house of worship," further emphasizing the government's commitment to prosecuting actions against religious venues. Bondi's statements came as 25 of the newly charged individuals faced apprehension, with additional arrests anticipated, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

The demonstration drew attention due to allegations that some attendees, including journalists, disrupted a church service while protesting against heightened immigration enforcement actions. The indictment charges that the protesters acted in concert to intimidate congregation members, particularly alarming children present during the protest, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Many charged, including Lemon, assert that their actions were protected under the rights to free speech and press. They contend that their activities were journalistic in nature, aimed at documenting the protest against perceived injustices stemming from the Trump administration's immigration policies, as stated by Reuters and echoed by Al Jazeera.