Something feels profoundly wrong in Minnesota this week as a mob of anti-ICE protesters barged into Cities Church in St. Paul and screamed down worshippers in the middle of service, chanting “ICE out” and invoking the name of Renée Good — the tragic death that has ignited these demonstrations. The disruption forced the service to end early, frightened families and children, and crossed the line from protest into intimidation of peaceful Americans exercising their faith.
Former NFL sideline reporter and longtime Minnesota resident Michele Tafoya didn’t mince words on Fox’s The Story, saying she was astounded, disgusted and rightly angry about protesters who would target a church. Tafoya — now a podcast host and outspoken voice for common-sense decency — called out political leaders for failing to condemn these actions with the force the moment demanded.
This wasn’t a spontaneous moment of civil debate; federal authorities have already opened an investigation into possible violations of the FACE Act that forbids intimidating worshippers and obstructing places of worship. If you believe the rule of law matters, you should want those responsible held to account swiftly and visibly so mobs learn there are consequences for terrorizing congregations.
We should also remember why tensions are so high: on January 7, 2026, Renée Good was fatally shot during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, an event that has generated fury and protests across the Twin Cities. One of the pastors at Cities Church, David Easterwood, is identified as an ICE field director, which activists say prompted their targeting of the church — but nothing justifies hauling a screaming mob into a sanctuary to harass children and families.
Governor Tim Walz’s reaction, described by local voices as tepid, is the kind of weak leadership that invites lawlessness; a governor must defend citizens’ basic rights, including the right to worship without fear, not posture from the sidelines. Minnesota’s leaders owe the victims and every parent in that pew a clear promise: protect our houses of worship, enforce the law, and stop giving ideological mobs political cover.
Make no mistake — conservatives support law and order and also the right to peaceful protest, but what we saw in that church was neither peaceful nor honorable. This moment should unite every American who believes in religious liberty and public safety to demand accountability, to back our federal prosecutors when they act, and to insist state officials stop equivocating and start protecting their citizens.
