DOJ Increases Presence in Minnesota Amid Immigration Enforcement Tensions

Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a stern warning on Tuesday that “no one is above the law” as the Department of Justice expands its operations in Minnesota following weeks of escalating unrest tied to immigration enforcement disputes.

Speaking exclusively to Fox News in Minneapolis after meeting with federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials, Bondi described a deteriorating situation in the state characterized by “constant” chaos and concerns for officer safety.

“This state is a mess right now,” Bondi said. “We’ve seen the chaos, and it’s constant. And our men and women in law enforcement deserve to be safe.”

The Attorney General’s visit comes at a critical juncture for Minnesota, where tensions have reached new heights following a highly publicized incident on Sunday when protesters disrupted a church service in St. Paul. The incident, which Bondi described as “horrific,” involved activists storming Cities Church during worship, allegedly because they claimed the pastor also worked as an ICE agent.

“What happened in that church was horrific,” Bondi stated emphatically. “That should not happen to any Christian, to any religion, to a synagogue, to a mosque, to any place of worship in our country.”

Pastor Jonathan Parnell, whom Bondi said she has spoken with directly and plans to meet, released a statement describing how agitators disrupted their January 18 worship service, accosted congregation members and frightened children. He characterized the conduct as both “shameful” and “unlawful.”

“Invading a church service to disrupt the worship of Jesus — or any other act of worship — is protected by neither the Christian Scriptures nor the laws of this nation,” Parnell wrote, adding that church buildings should serve as places of peace and refuge.

The federal government’s increased involvement in Minnesota comes amid confirmed reports that state officials, including the governor, mayor, and state attorney general, have received federal grand jury subpoenas. When pressed on whether these subpoenas signal an investigation into these offices, Bondi declined to provide specifics.

“I can’t confirm nor deny whether we have any investigation or what it is,” Bondi said. “I can’t discuss.”

During her visit, Bondi met with federal agents from the FBI, DEA, and ATF, as well as U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, emphasizing the importance of coordination among federal agencies as tensions continue. “We have a great U.S. attorney, and we are all going to fight together,” she said. “That’s why it was so important to be here.”

When questioned about whether rhetoric from state and local leaders has contributed to the unrest, Bondi acknowledged that inflammatory language can have serious consequences. “Rhetoric causes people to get hurt and injured, and that shouldn’t be happening,” she stated. “Whether it’s a public official, whether it’s a law enforcement officer, no one is above the law in this state or in this country, and people will be held accountable.”

The confrontations in Minnesota reflect broader national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement policies. Recent weeks have seen clashes between ICE agents and protesters in Minneapolis streets, highlighting the deep divisions over federal immigration actions in communities that have traditionally maintained sanctuary-type policies.

When asked whether Minnesotans should expect continued federal involvement following her visit, Bondi was unequivocal: “President Trump is committed to making Minnesota safe. So, the answer is yes.”

The situation in Minnesota exemplifies the complex intersection of federal, state, and local authority when it comes to immigration enforcement. As federal agencies assert their presence in the state, questions remain about how this increased federal involvement will affect local governance and community relations in a state that has become a focal point in the national debate over immigration enforcement.