St. Paul City Attorney Declines State Charges In Anti-ICE Church Protest
St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao said Wednesday she will not pursue Minnesota state charges against dozens of anti-ICE protesters who stormed a St. Paul church in January.[1]
Kao said investigators lacked sufficient evidence to prove the elements required under state law, so she declined to file state charges.[1] Federal prosecutors have separately charged 39 people, including former CNN host Don Lemon, with alleged civil rights violations; those federal cases remain pending.[1]
On January 18, 2026, dozens of protesters entered a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul to protest the pastor's work as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official.[1]
The decision ends the prospect of state-level prosecutions while leaving the federal civil rights cases to play out in U.S. district court.
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📌 Key Facts
- On January 18, 2026, anti-ICE protesters interrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota to protest a pastor’s work as an ICE official.
- On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao announced she will not pursue Minnesota state charges, citing insufficient evidence under state law.
- Federal prosecutors have charged 39 people, including Don Lemon, with civil rights violations over the disruption, and those federal cases remain pending.
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