William Kelly, the anti-ICE activist who barged into a Minnesota church service and later mocked Attorney General Pam Bondi online by challenging her to come after him, now sits in federal custody. Bondi’s office confirmed the arrest Thursday afternoon, marking the third takedown in a swift crackdown on those who stormed Cities Church in St. Paul just days earlier.
The chaos unfolded during a regular Sunday worship on January 18 at Cities Church, where congregants gathered for prayer and sermons. A group of protesters, including Kelly, marched in chanting slogans against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They zeroed in on Pastor David Easterwood, who doubles as the acting field director for ICE’s St. Paul office.
Protesters demanded his resignation, linking him to broader complaints about ICE operations in the area, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman killed by an ICE agent earlier in January during an enforcement action. Good’s death has fueled local tensions, with activists claiming it exemplifies aggressive tactics under the renewed federal push to secure borders and deport criminal aliens.
Kelly, known online as “DaWokeFarmer” on platforms like TikTok, didn’t hide his role. Videos surfaced showing him inside the church, confronting parishioners and amplifying the group’s message. In the aftermath, he went further, posting clips where he ridiculed Bondi’s vow to prosecute those involved.
“They’re gonna come at me with charges, and I’m not scared of that,” Kelly said in one recording. “There’s no basis for these charges. I did not block them from their service.”
He accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the law against dissenters, framing the protest as peaceful expression rather than an invasion of sacred space.
But federal authorities saw it differently. Under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which safeguards religious services from interference, the Department of Justice moved quickly. Bondi emphasized that such actions cross a line.
“Our nation was settled and founded by people fleeing religious persecution,” she stated in her announcement of Kelly’s arrest. “Religious freedom is the bedrock of this country. We will protect our pastors. We will protect our churches. We will protect Americans of faith.”
Kelly’s detention follows the arrests of Nekima Levy Armstrong, a prominent Twin Cities lawyer and organizer, and Chauntyll Louisa Allen, a St. Paul school board member. Both were nabbed earlier Thursday by FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agents. Armstrong, who has a history of civil rights activism, defended the group’s entry into the church as a necessary call-out of Easterwood’s dual roles.
“Someone who claims to worship God, teaching people in this church about God, is out there overseeing ICE agents,” she said during the disruption.
The incident has drawn wider scrutiny, including questions about former CNN anchor Don Lemon’s presence. Lemon, now an independent journalist, was spotted filming and interviewing during the event. The Justice Department sought charges against him under the FACE Act, but a federal magistrate judge rejected the complaint, citing his role as a reporter rather than a participant.
Lemon insisted he was there to document, not disrupt: “I’m just here photographing, I’m not part of the group.” Still, his involvement has sparked debate, with some viewing it as media overreach into private worship.
This episode fits into a pattern of escalating clashes over immigration enforcement in Minnesota, where ICE has ramped up operations targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Critics like Kelly argue it’s a broad assault on communities, but supporters point to the need for rule of law as illegal aliens continue to drain the nation and make streets unsafe.
As more details emerge, Bondi’s team hints at additional arrests. For now, Kelly’s bold dare has turned into reality, serving as a reminder that disrupting houses of worship carries real consequences in a nation built on the promise of unhindered belief.
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