Condemning the violent disruption of a religious worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, reaffirming the constitutional right to religious freedom, and commending the Department of Justice for its prompt investigation.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1026 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1026

  Condemning the violent disruption of a religious worship service at 
 Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, reaffirming the constitutional 
 right to religious freedom, and commending the Department of Justice 
                     for its prompt investigation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 30, 2026

  Mr. Carter of Georgia submitted the following resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Condemning the violent disruption of a religious worship service at 
 Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, reaffirming the constitutional 
 right to religious freedom, and commending the Department of Justice 
                     for its prompt investigation.

Whereas, on January 18th, 2026, a group of protesters forcibly disrupted a 
        religious worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, 
        interfering with congregants' ability to peacefully assemble and freely 
        exercise their faith;
Whereas reports and video evidence indicate that individuals entered the 
        sanctuary during an active church service, shouted over clergy, 
        physically obstructed the service, intimidated worshipers, and created a 
        threatening environment for families and children in attendance;
Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees 
        the free exercise of religion, including the right to worship without 
        intimidation, coercion, or violence;
Whereas places of religious worship occupy a uniquely protected position under 
        Federal law due to their constitutional significance and their role in 
        American civic life;
Whereas the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (18 U.S.C. 248) makes it 
        unlawful to use or attempt to use force, threat of force, or physical 
        obstruction to intentionally intimidate or interfere with any person 
        lawfully exercising their religious beliefs at a place of religious 
        worship;
Whereas the FACE Act provides criminal penalties and civil remedies for 
        violations involving interference with religious worship, recognizing 
        such conduct as a serious civil rights offense;
Whereas according to publicly available reports, media coverage, and video 
        documentation, Don Lemon was present during the disruption of the 
        worship service at Cities Church and actively joined individuals 
        participating in the disturbance of the service;
Whereas participation by a nationally recognized media figure in the disruption 
        of a religious worship service represents a profound abuse of public 
        influence and lends legitimacy to unlawful conduct targeting people of 
        faith;
Whereas public figures who physically join or amplify disruptive acts against 
        houses of worship contribute to intimidation, escalate tensions, and 
        undermine constitutional protections for religious exercise;
Whereas while peaceful protest is protected under the First Amendment, entering 
        a church during a worship service to disrupt, intimidate, or obstruct 
        religious exercise is not protected speech and is inconsistent with 
        Federal law and American values; and
Whereas failure to clearly condemn such conduct, especially when committed or 
        endorsed by influential individuals, risks normalizing religious 
        intimidation and emboldening future attacks on Americans exercising 
        their faith: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) strongly condemns the protest and riot that disrupted a 
        religious worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, 
        Minnesota;
            (2) affirms that the free exercise of religion is a 
        fundamental constitutional right that must be protected from 
        intimidation, obstruction, and violence;
            (3) declares that targeting houses of worship for 
        disruption or harassment constitutes an attack on religious 
        liberty and the rule of law;
            (4) recognizes that the actions taken during this incident 
        may constitute violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic 
        Entrances Act (18 U.S.C. 248) and other applicable Federal 
        civil rights laws;
            (5) condemns Don Lemon for joining and participating in the 
        disruption of a religious worship service, thereby lending 
        credibility and encouragement to conduct that interferes with 
        the constitutional rights of worshipers;
            (6) commends the Department of Justice for its prompt 
        investigation into the events surrounding this incident, 
        including the conduct of all individuals involved, and to fully 
        enforce the FACE Act and other relevant Federal statutes of the 
        law; and
            (7) urges Federal, State, and local authorities to ensure 
        that Americans may worship freely and safely without fear of 
        intimidation, disruption, or violence.
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