Dozens of self-styled “protesters” brazenly stormed Cities Church in St. Paul last Sunday, silencing worship with chants and intimidation. Within minutes, the service collapsed—families and seniors fled while radicals cheered their own anarchy.
On Monday, Attorney General Keith Ellison defended this mob action on Don Lemon’s podcast, flatly declaring that disrupting a church is as “fundamental” as kneeling during the anthem. Ellison dismissed the 1994 FACE Act, which criminalizes exactly this kind of forceful interference with religious worship.
“Freedom of expression,” Ellison insisted, “means you’ve got to live with it.” In other words, constitutional protections apply only when activists approve. When it’s inconvenient for the Left, sacred spaces are fair game.
The FACE Act (18 U.S. Code § 248) exists to protect congregations from exactly this turmoil—yet Ellison ignored it. He boasts a law degree but chooses to weaponize the First Amendment against worshipers.
Ellison’s argument exposes a brutal double standard. Abortions clinics, public schools and now churches—all must withstand leftist disruption unless Biden’s allies disapprove. This selective outrage isn’t governance; it’s raw political power play.
The Attorney General pivoted to mocking President Trump’s jabs at late-night hosts and denouncing “jokes” about the commander-in-chief as tyrannical. It’s a telling deflection: criticize the Left’s unlawful tactics, and Ellison redirects to culture-war insults.
Republicans must demand enforcement of federal law. Churches deserve the same protection as any community institution. Ellison’s spin won’t stand in court: the FACE Act carries serious penalties for anyone who “by force or threat of force” obstructs worship.
If Democrats refuse to defend religious freedom, they must be held accountable. The next Republican-led Justice Department will clamp down on these outrages. We will protect congregations, enforce the law without mercy and restore order to our houses of worship.
