Minnesota’s first openly transgender legislator is facing blowback for applauding anti-ICE activists who stormed a church service in St. Paul, calling for more “essential” protests until federal immigration authorities have left the state.
Democratic state Rep. Leigh Finke, who was elected in 2022, said Sunday’s protest at Cities Church caused “the usual round of upset,” comparing it to the 1989 demonstration by AIDS activists at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
“Actions like this — nonviolent resistance in the face of government inaction or oppression — are essential,” Ms. Finke posted Monday on Instagram. “And they must continue until I.C.E. is out of our state, the administration is out of the White House, and dignity and humanity for all of our neighbors is achieved.”
Outraged Republicans accused her of endangering churchgoers by egging on demonstrators.
“In our Country, America, people are free to worship!” Republican state Rep. Pam Altendorf posted on X. “We’re in a dangerous place when elected Dems are encouraging illegal activities.”
Republican state Sen. Mike Holmstrom posted: “A MN Democrat finally comments on the targeting of Cities Church. And what does he say? That attacks like these are ‘Essential’ and ‘Must Continue.’”
He added: “This is despicable and unhinged behavior, what Rep Finke is advocating for amounts to more (D)omestic terrorism.”
A MN Democrat finally comments on the targeting of Cities Church.
And what does he say?
That attacks like these are “Essential” and “Must Continue”
This is despicable and unhinged behavior, what Rep Finke is advocating for amounts to more (D)omestic terrorism. pic.twitter.com/HNQwErSgA0
— Michael Holmstrom (@MichaelH_MN) January 19, 2026
Dozens of activists disrupted worship at Cities Church, part of the Southern Baptist Convention, shouting anti-ICE slogans and ultimately shutting down the service in a protest organized by the Racial Justice Network, Black Lives Matter Minneapolis, and Black Lives Matter Twin Cities.
The incident is being investigated by the Department of Justice. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said prosecutors are considering charges against the protesters under federal laws including the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act.
Cities Church said in a statement that agitators “accosted members, frightened children, and created a scene marked by intimidation and threat,” preventing worshipers from hearing “the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
“Church buildings are meant to be places of peace and solace, where worshipers can hear and live out this message,” the church posted Tuesday on Facebook. “We therefore call on local, state, and national leaders to protect this fundamental right. We are evaluating next steps with our legal counsel.”
Several commenters on social media urged the Justice Department to consider charging Ms. Finke for encouraging activists to target houses of worship.
The Democrat responded to the outcry by saying that “I have the entire Minnesota Republican and rightwing media apparatus focused on my comments,” but refused to back down.
“Any challenge to the status quo is controversy for those who spend days in comfort,” Ms. Finke posted late Monday.
Minnesota Democrats have been less than sympathetic to the churchgoers. Attorney General Keith Ellison shrugged off the protest, saying “I think it’s just something you’ve got to live with in a society like this.”
Protest organizers said they chose the church because one of its eight pastors, David Easterwood, allegedly works as state acting field office director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a motivation that Mr. Ellison characterized as legitimate.
“I think that if you want to protest the behavior of a particular religious leader, then people are allowed to do that. That’s my two cents on that,” Mr. Ellison told podcast host Don Lemon.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s office said the governor “has repeatedly and unequivocally urged protesters to do so peacefully. While people have a right to speak out, he in no way supports interrupting a place of worship.”
