Archive · 25 Jan 2026
Court Rejects DOJ Push to Charge More in Minnesota Church Protest
A court said no to the government's plan to charge more people for interrupting a church service in Minnesota.
The government wanted to charge five more people, including a former TV news anchor, but the court said there wasn't enough proof.
Three people are already being charged for allegedly scaring and bothering people at the church.
The government is trying hard to stop similar protests, but the court said they need to follow the usual rules.
The people being charged say the government is punishing them for protesting.
A federal appeals court rejected the Justice Department's request to charge five more people for disrupting a Minnesota church service.
Three defendants were charged with conspiracy against rights for allegedly intimidating and harassing parishioners.
The proposed defendants include former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who recorded the demonstration.
The Justice Department's request was described as 'unheard of' by the chief U.S. District Court judge in Minnesota.
The court ruled that prosecutors have other ways to get charges approved rather than through the appeals court.
- Who
- The Justice Department and demonstrators, including Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, William Kelly, and proposed defendants including Don Lemon
- What
- A federal appeals court rejected the Justice Department's request to charge five more people for disrupting a Minnesota church service
- When
- The incident occurred in January 2024, and the court ruling was made public on January 24, 2024
- Where
- Minnesota, USA
- Why
- The demonstrators protested a pastor's apparent connection to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Location
- Minnesota, USA
- Date of Incident
- January 2024
- Charged Defendants
- Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, William Kelly
- Proposed Defendants
- Five, including Don Lemon
- Court
- 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
- Charges Approved
- Conspiracy against rights
- Charges Rejected
- Physical obstruction of a house of worship
