DOJ Investigates Church Disruption Amid Alleged ICE Link (Full Transcript)
[00:00:03] Speaker 1: The Department of Justice said it's investigating a group of protestors who disrupted a church service in Minnesota. Protestors allege that one of the church's pastors, David Easterwood, is a leader of the local ICE field office, according to the Associated Press. That office is overseeing operations that have involved violent tactics and alleged illegal arrests. Video was posted on the Facebook page of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, one of the organizers of the protests. It's unclear if Easterwood was at this Sunday's service. The website of City's Church, which is based in St. Paul, lists David Easterwood as a pastor. His personal details also appear to match the court filings of the acting director of the ICE field office in St. Paul, according to the Associated Press. In October, Easterwood can also be seen alongside DHS Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference. A U.S. Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General said on X her agency is investigating federal civil rights violations of the protestors for quote, desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshipers. Meanwhile, Black Lives Matter Minnesota co-founder Monique Cullors-Doty said, We can't sit back idly and watch people go and be led astray. City's Church did not respond for comment on Sunday evening, and Easterwood's personal contact information could not immediately be located for comment.
- DOJ is investigating protestors who disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Protestors allege the church pastor David Easterwood is also a leader/acting director of the local ICE field office.
- Reporting cites apparent matches between Easterwood’s details and ICE court filings and shows him at a DHS press event.
- DOJ frames the inquiry as potential federal civil rights violations related to interfering with worship.
- City’s Church did not respond to requests for comment; it’s unclear if Easterwood attended the service.